June Smallies on Small Waters

[dwiebenga]

I want to take my son to wade and kayak for Smallies.  What is the best Missouri stream for numbers and size.  We have done the Elk, and catch numbers but not much size.  We would prefer a quiet section too.

[Cwallis]

Not trying to be ignorant but as soon as the name of a stream with the qualities you listed. It will probably no longer be quiet or full of fish. Not saying you would be one to destroy a creek but there are trolls on here that will jump in a stream with no regard to how sensitive the ecosystem can be. What might be helpful is that any wadeable stream that has good riffles and some holes should be solid choices. 

[Krazo]

small waters can change significantly from year to year as drought and water levels have their effect.

 

I would look at the waters MDC lists special management areas.

[Flysmallie]

If the numbers are good then the size should be good too. You just have to find what makes the bigger ones bite. They didn't get that size acting like the smaller ones. 

[Smalliebigs]

There is a plethora of really good streams in the South West corner of the State hahahahahaha

[ColdWaterFshr]

DeLorme map and Chuck Tryon's 200 smallmouth adventures book is all you need.  Keep an eye out for ole man Prater if'n you decide to set foot on a gravel bar or go mushroom hunting.  If you do encounter him, just say your one of Chief's friends.😂

[Al Agnew]

I agree with Flysmallie.  Any stream with good numbers will have some big ones, but you have to realize that big ones are a tiny percentage of the overall population, and besides that they are less likely to be dumb enough to be caught.  I consider myself a decent stream bass angler, and I catch probably 1 fish over 17 inches for every 50 I catch that are less than 16 inches.  Plus, it sometimes takes different techniques and better knowledge of the river to catch bigger fish.  So if you're looking for a stream where you can just go to it cold and catch a bunch of fish over 16 inches, you're probably going to be disappointed.