Floating And Fishing

[Jack Jones]

I'm a newbie to the Finley. I've lived in Nixa for a few years, but only now started to think about taking the yak out on this one. Also, I've never fished from the park. Anyone have experience putting in at the town park in Ozark and paddling upstream to Lindenlure Lake (or is it Lindenlure Dam)? I know it's been blown out due to the flooding, but when it settles, is this a reasonable float?

Also, is the area below the dam at the park a good spot? If so, how do you access it?

Since this is a close body of water and gas prices are high, I'd love to explore it more and could use the advice/info from someone more familiar with it than I.

I've reviewed the map on Missouricanoe.org. Seems like there are a few good spots to put in and that this doesn't flow so heavy that you couldn't paddle upstream and float back to your put in. I'm usually rolling solo so there isn't anyone to pick me up down river.

[RSBreth]

I'm a newbie to the Finley. I've lived in Nixa for a few years, but only now started to think about taking the yak out on this one. Also, I've never fished from the park. Anyone have experience putting in at the town park in Ozark and paddling upstream to Lindenlure Lake (or is it Lindenlure Dam)? I know it's been blown out due to the flooding, but when it settles, is this a reasonable float?

Also, is the area below the dam at the park a good spot? If so, how do you access it?

Since this is a close body of water and gas prices are high, I'd love to explore it more and could use the advice/info from someone more familiar with it than I.

I've reviewed the map on Missouricanoe.org. Seems like there are a few good spots to put in and that this doesn't flow so heavy that you couldn't paddle upstream and float back to your put in. I'm usually rolling solo so there isn't anyone to pick me up down river.

Paddling up from the Park is easy in normal water levels - I do it all the time. I don't know how the flooding jammed things up with logs and other debris - but if I'm a good boy and work hard I may be able to get away and check it out this weekend. By the way - the park is now back open and the tree that was blocking the ramp is has now been removed.

[OzarksRiverman]

You might consider putting in at Green Bridge, you can go upstream or down from there. Park on the north side of the bridge though (far side when coming from Ozark).

[Jack Jones]

That would be good, but not sure where that is.

This is the map I'm going off of right now.

http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/jamesfinley.html

Is Green Bridge known by another name? What would be the location?

[OzarksRiverman]

Here's a google maps of Ozark and the Finley River. Starting from the Business 65 bridge (Yellow), going upstream: Park Bridge, Riverside Bridge (closed), and Green Bridge.

Best way is go out McCracken Rd, turn left on Hawkins Rd. (There's a Jehovah's Witness church there), go about a mile take your first right and you're there.

It's a little tough getting a kayak down from the road to the water, but it's not too bad, I've seen worse.

Greenbridge is roughly halfway between Linden and the Ozark Park.

map of ozark mo - Google Maps.pdf

[Jack Jones]

Awesome!!! Thank you very much for that map. I'm looking forward to paddling this water and fishing it too. It's nice to have some many options so close.

[tho1mas]

Does the park boat ramp close at night?

[OzarksRiverman]

Awesome!!! Thank you very much for that map. I'm looking forward to paddling this water and fishing it too. It's nice to have some many options so close.

No problem. Good luck fishing.

[OzarksRiverman]

Does the park boat ramp close at night?

Yeah, they shut the gates to the park.

[RSBreth]

The gates are shut at night but you can always launch under the mill dam bridge on the west side - a little muddy but it's an option.