Stalking wild trout ...

[trythisonemv]

So in the last year I have found several spring creeks and rivers that are supporting trout. These places won't be found on a mo con list or in a book. They are hold overs from bygone era trout hatcheries and "failed" stockings of years long past. They surprise you at first then you begin to catch them fairly consistently.  Small ones at first then by and by they start getting bigger and begin to peak interest. So you continue to pursue them through systematically breaking down the areas you firs find them. Then its a secret trout cache that only you know about.  Then you begin adventuring further and further in search of the small pockets the reside in. 

I have found a considerable concentration of rainbow trout ranging sizes in some places I wouldnt have thought.  So I dug into why and how they got there. Its interesting to hear people and their recollections of how they showed up. Some say old hatcheries others that they were stocked by conservation in the sixties or before. Missouri is a wondrous place filled with surprise after surprise. . .

[Johnsfolly]

I know a spot or two that I had a trout surprise. Like you, I think about and want find out how they got there. Glad to hear that there are more such places where there are naturalized trout. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to find one or wo more. They tend to be fiesty fighters ☺ and that makes finding them special.

[MickinMO]

Spring River in Lawrence County. Used to be a hatchery south of 60 hwy near Verona. Have caught them as far west as Stotts City. Would see some big rainbows while gigging

[MoCarp]

there are a few spawning populations in the spring creeks that feed the greater spring river (SW Missouri)drainage..I was blessed to catch a few chasing smallmouths, dropping down to trout gear, the big chubs keep you busy till you come across the rainbows... when you do, the fish are amazing beautiful I wish I had taken some pics...they a longer and have a more white body with stunning colors...I wish the state would buy up and protect these waters

[Gavin]

Best not to talk about that online. Think that more than a few date from the 1890's. You can find if you look. SWMO has a few I'd like to prospect, but to much good water in the way from STL. Would love to fish your money water, and you would be welcome to use any of my light line bamboo rods if you wish.

[tjm]

1 hour ago, MoCarp said:

.I wish the state would buy up and protect these waters

It would be the end of them, they would be over fish and either turn into put and take fisheries  or simply depleted. If you know of such places, enjoy them and only share with others who have the gumption to look for and find them for themselves.

I don't do much prospecting anymore, but in the '70s back east I had 20+ little "private" waters with native brookies. It is neither cheap (time+gas) nor easy to find these places unless you are covered in "dumb luck".