Wade Fishing At The Shut-Ins

[Justin92297]

Iv been doing research on smallmouth fishing in southeast Missouri before I go on a trip there in a couple weeks. It looks like the millstream gardens/ silver mines area could be a good place to check out. Has anyone had success here?

[jdmidwest]

I would probably look at other streams in the area. Maybe Silver Mines, but not the Shut ins.

[Justin92297]

Oh I thought the silver mines were at the shut ins?

[Al Agnew]

There are smallmouth in the shut-ins areas as well as elsewhere on the St. Francis. The two main easy to access shut-ins areas ARE Silvermines and Millstream Gardens. However, wading can be tricky. Assuming the water is low, you can wade it but there are huge boulders, deep potholes, and the rocks are SLICK. It's not easy wading, but doable if you are in good shape and very careful. Also, if the water is low and has been low for a long time, it tends to get a little stagnant in the pools between the rapids. The smallmouth are probably outnumbered by spotted bass and largemouth, especially in the pools. Also, some of the pools are deep and it's difficult to fish them effectively. It's interesting fishing, and gorgeous scenery, but I've always found the catching to be inconsistent in the shut-ins areas.

[mic]

Sounds like an outing for me.

[Chris Barclay]

Mic, I've fished down the trail past the swimming area and did fairly well. Like Al said, the water needs to be right (I imagine it is fine now) and the hike is a little ways but I've always felt it was worth it.

[mic]

Sweet... I'll be there Saturday morning, bright and early. Sunday Morning, I'm going to try upstream. Time permitting (got friends coming for the afternoon), I might belly boat in the lower reservoir.

[oldasdirt]

Just letting u know we got some rain might not be that good anther good place to wade is off e highway. Be safe the rock or very slick.

[Jerry Rapp]

Sweet... I'll be there Saturday morning, bright and early. Sunday Morning, I'm going to try upstream. Time permitting (got friends coming for the afternoon), I might belly boat in the lower reservoir.

Mic - are you confusing Johnson Shut Ins with Millstream Garden area?

[mic]

Yea... got my threads mixed up.