Ideas On Smallmouth Rivers Near St. Louis

[nathangh27]

Hey guys! Im new to this forum so i dont know if im breaking any cardinal rules by not telling a joke or something before i post a topic but here it goes.

I live in St. Louis and am looking for a nice stream or creek that holds smallmouth that isnt too far away (1hourish away)

I have fished the meremac and the big river plenty of times and have caught some great fish, but im looking for a more leisure fishing spot that i can wade in and not have to bring my fishing kayak with me.

Any help is appreciated!

thanks, nathan

[moguy1973]

That's about it for smallmouth that's relatively close to St. Louis....The Meramec and the Big River...Of course the tributaries to those should have smallmouth in them, such as the Bourbouse, Huzzah, Courtois, etc (plus many creeks that are probably all but dried up right now), which are only about 1 1/2 hours out of St Louis...

[Al Agnew]

Finding wading size streams that close to St. Louis isn't easy. They are there, but most are fairly heavily posted against trespass. And the ones that aren't are closely guarded secrets. I fish several that are within an hour's drive of South County, but I'd just as soon not broadcast them. Find a copy of the Chuck Tryon book, "200 Missouri Smallmouth Adventures". It will give you just about all the possibilities, but be warned...his information on access points isn't necessarily correct, since many of the accesses he lists are now posted.

[Smalliebigs]

LOL...... Small creeks that produce should never be exposed on this public forum, even though I say there are no secerets. You should get some maps and and go mine for Bronze on your own it will more rewarding when find a sweet creek. They are way too precious and fragile, overuse and catch and keep anglers are ruining many with in your parameters you posted.

[Guest]

deleted

[stlfisher]

Absolutely. The only saving grace on the small wadeable streams is that most people won't walk to far. Make the effort and you can be rewarded.

Very little water at the Bootleg acces on the Big BTW...I actually got lost for bit trying to find the stream...super small water right now...nearly dry in some spots it appeared.

[Phil Lilley]

Delete some posts... I don't want a new member thinking we're meanies here.

[Smalliebigs]

Well all here are crickets chirping............do your homework

[Mitch f]

You have to be. You would be amazed at the amount of pressure some of these creeks see. Lots of meat hunters up that way too.

Amen brother!!

[ozark trout fisher]

My best advice is just to get a DeLorme Atlas and do lots of driving on county roads throughout the watersheds of the Meramec, Big, and Bourbeuse. Most permanent streams will hold smallmouth in varying sizes and numbers. Check out any bridges or other potential access points. Many will be posted, nearly dry, or otherwise unproductive, but if you spend a few full days doing that you're nearly ensured of finding a gem or two. "Prospecting" as I call it is about the most fun you can have fishing, and will help you find those lightly fished streams that you'll be able to have mostly to yourself. You do really have to keep in mind that some creeks that don't look like much can hold some nice fish. If it isn't posted (or otherwise obviously private) and has even a couple decent holes, don't hesitate to give an unlikely looking stream a try.

Good luck! There's a lot of good water to explore within an hour to an hour and a half of STL.