Dream Week of Fishing??

[MNtransplant]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum. Just moved to Springfield, MO from Minnesoooohhh-tuh! I am a life long fisherman but new to the tricks of the trade when it comes to fishing in Missouri specifically, wade fishing, since I don't have a boat. I've gotten absolutely hooked on fly fishing and I've made several trips to Bennett Springs and Taneycomo and caught some beautiful rainbows. I've also been up to the little sac and got in on a little bit of the white bass run and that was a blast with the fly rod!

I'll get to the point, I have a week long "hall pass" coming up in May where the wifey is going away on business and I'm going to try to fish every evening while she is away  I am looking to try a bunch of different spots for several species and I'm willing to drive about an hour from Springfield in any direction.

For the experienced local anglers on this forum: if you could try 4 different locations for bank or wade fishing in one week to catch Brown Trout, Walleye, White Bass, Crappie, or even Muskie on the fly rod or standard tackle what would be your 4 stops??

Ready,,,,go!!

[Flysmallie]

Well I think you've already mentioned the best two places to catch a brown in this area. They are there.

Walleye? There was a pretty good report about some of those on the lower James. Check out the Blunks area. It's combat fishing when it's good so don't expect solitude, manners, or common sense. And the Lil' Sac, Turnback Creek, Beaver Creek, Swan Creek, and the pothole would all be a decent spot to try for a walleye. These can all be great spots to catch a White Bass as well if they are still running by then.

Crappie? I'm not a crappie guy so I got nothing.

Musky? Pretty much going to be Fellows but it's not going to be easy to do that from the bank. Hell it's not easy from a boat. There is a member here with the name Harps. PM him and ask him to take you out in his boat. He's getting close to figuring them out.

That should get you somewhere. If nothing else you will see the country.

Of course if it was me I'd probably stay a little closer and go chase some smallmouth. See if you can get one of those fat girls to eat a fly. 

 

[jdmidwest]

I don't know about license restrictions, but I would hit Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters.  North Fork of the White would be another.  Both excellent trout fisheries.  Eleven Point River is outside of the border but worth the extra few minutes.

May is panfish spawn, I always like to hit a nice redear or bluegill bed for some hot action on some nice bulls.

Spring rains can make streams iffy, but if you catch them clear, Jacks Fork would be a nice warmwater float.

[Flysmallie]

Those are all great places but well outside of the "within an hour of Springfield". 

[MNtransplant]

11 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

I don't know about license restrictions, but I would hit Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters.  North Fork of the White would be another.  Both excellent trout fisheries.  Eleven Point River is outside of the border but worth the extra few minutes.

May is panfish spawn, I always like to hit a nice redear or bluegill bed for some hot action on some nice bulls.

Spring rains can make streams iffy, but if you catch them clear, Jacks Fork would be a nice warmwater float.

@jdmidwest are there good bluegill lakes around or are you better off finding a hidden pond someplace?

[jdmidwest]

I am not from the Springfield area, I usually travel halfway across the state toward Springfield to get my best fishing. Usually a 3 hour drive for me or more to the locations I mentioned. 

I would check area lakes that MDC stocks with Redear and hit those in May.