Camping Spots Near Little Niangua Arm

[troutgnat]

Gentlemen,

I haven't found much success searching the net so hoping to get some advice from the forum here. I'm no stranger to fishing crappie on LOZ. I make several trips each year in spring and fall. Once again I am planning a spring trip in early April. I'm really in the mood to do some tent camping. I would like to concentrate on the Niangua Arm and more specifically the Little Niangua for crappie this spring. I've stayed twice at Bull Run Bluff campground. Once with the old(original) owners and had a pleasurable experience. I stayed their again back in; I believe it was 09-010' after the new owners took over and was not very impressed. I've heard some not so nice things about how it's been run lately. If anyone can change my opinion as of lately please let me hear your input. Otherwise, can anyone recommend some other campgrounds in the area? I prefer to have the following:

-tent camping with electricity(must charge boat)

-Boat dock and boat slip even better

-somewhere close to mainlake(I found some campgrounds all the way back in the Little Niangua/ 7+ mi to mainlake by boat.....not ideal)......Speaking of Little Niangua Campground and Green Mill Campground.

-allows pets(my dogs my boat buddy)

-and amenities of course(could use a daily shower)

Thanks for any insight!

[fishinwrench]

Lake O truly lacks in "fishing campgrounds". It's a shame.

The only place that comes to mind that you haven't already mentioned is Red Oak, it's on the Osage arm in Standing rock cove, close to the mouth of the Nianguas.

Nice ramp, docks and shower house, but more tailored to RVs.

[BHowe]

Speaking of the Little Niangua, how far will the crappie go upstream or do they go upstream at all? My son and I bought a couple kayaks and we plan on floating it this spring. I was wondering if we floated it closer to the lake if we could catch a few.

[fishinwrench]

Crappie don't migrate up creeks to spawn, and resident (creek dwelling) crappie are generally small and thin compared to lake crappie.

There is a bunch that congregate just below the slab below Fiery fork but that's about the upstream limit of crappie in the lil'Ni.

Greenmill to Prairie hollow is crappie spawn central beginning early-April.

[troutgnat]

fishingwrench, you mention green mill to prairie hollow for crappie. I know there's good crappie fishing in this arm of the lake though I've mainly fished the lower arm towards the mainlake. I don't think I've ever been further upstream than probably about mile marker 40+(Jackson Hollow) area. Would you recommend camping at Green Mile Campground? Their website looks pleasing. It's as far back in their as you can get. I'm planning on vacation about April 11-19 give or take a couple days.

[troutgnat]

Howe,

I've caught a lot of crappie on the lower end of Little Niangua toward the mainlake. You will do fine. Like I mentioned before I haven't further up than Jackson hollow but from their out there are crappie. And, even better just outside the arm on the mainlake there are several good areas.

[BHowe]

Thanks for the info fellers. We might go this weekend and try out the boats on the creek. We've had them out a few times over the last month just getting used to them on the lake, now it's time to try the creeks. Maybe we can catch a few goggleye and smallmouth for fun:)

[fishinwrench]

Would you recommend camping at Green Mill Campground?

Not really. Kinda depends on your personality and what you're there for. Mike and his dogs aren't for just anyone. LOL

[Goggle-Eyed]

Not really. Kinda depends on your personality and what you're there for. Mike and his dogs aren't for just anyone. LOL

Well Said!!! LOL