Niangua River Tr

[HighPlainsFlyFisher]

This whole problem could have been curtailed by MO DNR years ago by putting some restrictions on numbers of outfitters or canoes on certain rivers. At this point they'll never add any regulations because it'd hurt too many people's business (as well as their own) so we're just stuck with the River Mardi Gras from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Even law enforcement can't really help us fishermen , they may bust a group or two for smoking pot or drinking too blatantly but there aren't any laws against being loud, obnoxious or just plain STUPID. I could really care less about the folks floating down the river smoking pot (but that's who they'll bust) it's the screaming, paddle slapping , four letter word spewing drunk that I'd like to drag off the river and teach some manners. In my mind it's a losing battle and all we can do is let em have the rivers for six months and then do our best to clean up after them when they leave , cause they sure as hell aren't doing it!

Jeff

[FishinCricket]

How does MODNR profit off the Niangua? other than Bennett....seems to be a free for all down there.

The state has a canoe rental on the Niangua, they put in a ton of canoes too..

Then there's the tickets, that's a ridiculous amount of state revenue...

Just as a place to act like an idiot, yell and scream, and dump trash. I've always wondered why they need to drive all the way to an Ozark river to accomplish any of those things.

Well if that was a question, the answer would be "because back home they are a teacher or policeman or car salesman and they can't go out and get hammered and act a fool.. Besides, this is the wilderness right? You're only breaking the law if they catch you.."

[Wayne SW/MO]

Crickets right, in the early 80's when it was obvious that the river was reaching a peak for the number of canoe rentals that didn't seriously degrade the experience, the DNR bought Vogels riverfront and started renting their own canoes. The riverfront property for many years was for the exclusive use of their rental concessionaire.

They could have easily pushed for a system to give permits for the canoes available then and held to that number. No outfitter would have been harmed because they would be able to keep the inventory they had then. With a limit on canoes, there would have been a natural limit on bank side development.

[Aaron J Scott]

Let em have the rivers for six months and then do our best to clean up after them when they leave ...

You know, I've been thinking, now that the cool weather has chased off the summer crowds, that it'd be fun to organize (loosely or not) a river cleanup to make up for the damage caused over the last several months. Would anyone be down for that?

[HighPlainsFlyFisher]

I'd be more than willing to participate if it was on a weekend when my work schedule would allow. Lord knows there isn't a stream in the Ozarks that doesn't need a little love after being used and abused all summer long.

[RSBreth]

Glad you had a great float.

I have similar problems over here on the James - just not of that scale. You can still get some fishing in during Summer but you have to go during the week, early on weekends, above the places the rental places put people in, etc.

The Niangua is a long river and I know it's not a Trout area but I fish more up near Charity access during Summer - closer to home and rarely see any "floaters".

[Guest]

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[mic]

I would like to help depending on the schedule.

[Goggle-Eyed]

There is a Niangua River Stream Team in place. they usually do the clean up in September and there is a big BBQ at NRO or one of the other outfitters. I am sure anyone at NRO could provide you with more information.

Joe

[fishinwrench]

There is a Niangua River Stream Team in place. they usually do the clean up in September and there is a big BBQ at NRO or one of the other outfitters. I am sure anyone at NRO could provide you with more information.

Joe

They just did a stream team float after Labor day weekend.