2006 Fish Population Numbers

[Phil Lilley]

Eleven Point River - Oregon County

by John Ackerson

Fisheries Management Biologist

Missouri Department of Conservation

The Eleven Point River is one of the most scenic and diverse fishing streams in the state. Special regulations on shadow bass (goggle-eye) (8 inch minimum length limit) and smallmouth bass (15 inch minimum length limit) has protected important sizes of these fish. These regulations are for the 50 miles of river from the Thomasville Access to the Arkansas state line. Daily limits are 1 for smallmouth bass (6 total for black basses combined) and 15 for shadow bass. Gigging (Sept. 15th through Jan. 31st) of suckers is a favorite tradition but is prohibited in the 5.5 mile section of the Blue Ribbon Trout Area.

The 17 miles from Thomasville to Greer Spring offer excellent fishing for warm-water species. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and shadow bass are the most sought after species in this section. As part of the U.S. Forest Service's Scenic River program, access to this area is limited to Thomasville, Cane Bluff, and Greer so plan on bringing a canoe to help get to the better fishing spots. According to the 2006 surveys, 25% of shadow bass and 2% of smallmouth bass are legal sized. Float early spring when water levels are higher, or plan on dragging over shoals in summer months. On days when bass are not biting, a good population of longear sunfish will shorten the time between bites.

Greer Spring instantly transforms the river into a coldwater fishery, and the next 5.5 miles downstream to Turner Mill Accesses is home to some large rainbow trout. This area is designated as a Blue Ribbon Trout Area. Special regulations include an 18 inch minimum length limit, one fish per day, no gigging, and flies and artificial lures only. Synthetic eggs and soft plastic lures are specifically prohibited. Numbers of trout are down from last year (120 trout/mile) but trout 15 inches and greater still account for 17% of the population. In 2006, we supplemented the population by stocking 6,375 rainbow trout. This is another great section for catching smallmouth bass (9% legal sized) and shadow bass, make sure to use the approved artificial baits. Public access is limited to Highway 19 crossing at Greer and U.S. Forest Service gravel roads to Turner Mill North and Turner Mill South. If launching a boat, don’t use the Turner Mill South Access due to excessive gravel deposits.

The next 14 miles from the Turner Mill accesses downstream to Highway 160 at Riverton is managed as a put-and-take rainbow trout fishery (White Ribbon Trout Area). From March to October, 18,000 10-12 inch rainbow trout were stocked. Statewide regulations of four fish per day and no size limit apply. Access is provided at Turner Mill North, Turner Mill South, Whitten and Highway 160.

The 13.5 miles from Highway 160 downstream to the Arkansas state line offer great fishing for smallmouth bass and shadow bass. Smallmouth bass population density in 2006 was about 340 fish/mile with 6% of these being legal sized (15 inches or greater). Numbers of larger smallmouth is on the rise as we continue to see the effect of the smallmouth bass regulation. Smallmouth numbers will vary throughout the river. Look for smallmouth in cover provided by rocks, bluffs, or rootwads with plenty of water current. Shadow bass density in 2006 was about 590 fish/mile with approximately 25% being legal sized (8 inches or greater). Shadow bass can be found in rootwads and submerged vegetation in the tail end of riffles where the current begins to slow or pools with adequate water flow. Chain pickerel are becoming popular on this section of river. Best fishing is in the spring in backwaters and around structure before the aquatic vegetation becomes too thick. On slow fishing days try live bait or spinnerbaits to enjoy a fierce fight from a hungry pickerel.

A few walleye can be found in the deepest pools. The minimum length for walleye and sauger is 18 inches and the daily limit is 4 fish. Several hundred walleye have been tagged with angler reward tags. Sending a tag back to the address on the tag will yield a $10-100 reward for aiding us with valuable catch information.

Wade fishing on the Eleven Point is possible; however, the deep pools can make it difficult getting from shoal to shoal. A leisurely float in a canoe or jon boat will help make fishing on this scenic river more enjoyable. The Eleven Point River is always floatable downstream from Greer Spring but expect some dragging if floating downstream of Thomasville Access in the late summer months.

Best bet in 2007: Rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, shadow bass (goggle-eye), and chain pickerel.

[jdmidwest]

Lilley, where did you come up with this info? Is it on the MDC website somewhere? I am curious about other rivers in MO.

[Phil Lilley]

I've written the West Plains office and asked for any info they can send me. So far this is all I've gotten. I doubt if it's on any MDC website... may so. They sent it to me on Word, not a link...

What rivers are you interested in and I'll ask.

[LostMyWife]

"Synthetic eggs and soft plastic lures are specifically prohibited. "

Phil

Is there a difference between synthetic eggs and the egg flies that I se in shops or are they one in the same?

[Phil Lilley]

Synthetic are soft plastic. Egg flies are made of yard.

[jdmidwest]

Lilley, thanks, I can email them for info too. I know they have a publication about the prospectives on MO streams but have not seen the stocking/shocking results like this. We have a local headquarters in Cape so I will contact them.

LMW, use yarn type egg flies only in these areas, ones made from epoxy, or the glue sticks should fall under synthetic eggs also. The rule was made for Power eggs and other scented baits but could be construed to cover the other flies I mentioned.

[Phil Lilley]

jd- if you get anything on other rivers, esp rivers on the forum, please post the info you get... I'd appreciate it. But make sure it's ok with the biologists you get it from.

Thanks!

[jdmidwest]

Sure will, I am curious about several warm water streams locally. Especially the smallmouth. MDC has been in the process of monitoring several rivers as to whether they are going to protect the smallies like the did on 11pt a few years back. I would personally like to see the 18" 1 fish reg state wide or at least a 15" limit. I have seen alot of decline in recent years around here. I like to see the walleye figures also.

[David Bell]

John was very helpful Friday as well, which is how my son Frank and came to

fish Eleven point. I mentioned the trout we hooked and netted on Saturday, but there were numerous smallmouth caught as well. They were, however, very small. Also caught were 6 or 8 carp and I think Frank caught a blue gill or two but I didn't see those fish.

I plan to fish this again in late January or perhaps February. In Winter, you pretty much have the stream to yourself. In the two one day floats we took, we saw only one other fisherman during the day. A couple of young guys had just pulled in to the greer put in as we were getting on the water, so all in all, it was two fun days(despite the high water on Sunday).

David