Gasconade newbie - best place?

[cimarron]

Hi all, just signed up.

Quite a long time ago I spent a day on the lower Gasconade and loved it. Can't even remember for sure, I think it was around Paydown to 89 highway. But not for sure.

But I loved it, and we caught a big mess of fish. Epic trip.

I've heard the fishing on the middle or upper Gasconade is even better.

Any recommendations?

Need to rent a john boat and I assume a trolling motor to get around, like we did on the first trip.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

[Mitch f]

Are you strictly catch and release?

[Greasy B]

Depending on how long ago it was and what your idea of a fishing trip should be you might disappointed. Paydown is a beautiful area but the volume of recreational power boat traffic on weekends is horrendous. 

[Gavin]

Depends on the type of experience you want...If you mind a ton of boat traffic stay above the B. Piney confluence at Jerome. Plenty of good water above and below, but if you need a rental boat I'd look to Boiliing Springs Resort in Dixon, or Gasconade Hills further upriver near Hazelgreen. Good water way above Hazelgreen too...Lots of rock bass if you want some fish to eat, toss the smallmouth back.

 

[Seth]

Stay above Boiling Spring. The fishing is great and you shouldn't have as much jet boat traffic to deal with. Once the water level at Jerome drops below 2', you shouldn't see hardly any jet boat traffic above Boilng Spring. Right now, the river is up and there is more traffic up that way that normal, but it's usually fisherman. The pleasure jetters that just cruise around all day usually stay farther down river from Nagogami on down to Vienna.