Smallmouth In Doniphan Area?

[LittleRedFisherman]

I've crossed the river many times there, but have never fished in that area, thinking about trying it out. Wondered if any of you had some advice on the area. Talked to a guy that works for the foresty service, he mentioned trying Deer Leap? Look forward to trying it out soon!

[timinmo]

Red

I have fished out of the Deer Leap Access several times. We always caught fish but never killed them. Fished out Doniphan once or twice without much success as I remember. I liked the water at Deer Leap better and have fished there more times but really do not have enough experience at either location to be an authority.

Tim

[LittleRedFisherman]

Thanks Tim, I've heard it's pretty good. I'm interested in trying it someday, as it's only an hour drive from my home. I also heard this past week from a guy in the know, that weekends in the summers are out as the Jetboats are thick up there. He likes fishing it in the spring!

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, the jetboats are thick in the summer, including a whole lot of very high horsepower boats run by very stupid drunk people. I'd avoid it like the plague on summer weekends. It also gets a lot of fishing pressure, including regular tournaments. But there are some big smallmouth. One of the most reliable reports of an actual six pound smallie that I've ever heard of came from that part of the river, caught in the winter by a walleye fisherman I know.

[LittleRedFisherman]

That's the same thing I've heard Al about the big ones. Some of those tournaments they have produce 20 pound stringers supposedly. I cross that river a lot headed to the Eleven Point, but plan to try that section of the Current out soon, hopefully during a weekday!