Boating Doniphan area

[Mark]

I've never been on the lower Current. Is there usually plenty of water at Doniphan in August to jetboat freely up and downstream? Gage is at 1850cfs at Doniphan but not sure how much recent rain they got. Is there shallow shoals that can be tricky at low water levels? I'm guessing it's usually good boating even in the dog days of summer.

How about the fishing? Besides smallies, how's the panfishing? Are there walleyes on lower Current? Any special fishing regs? All advice appreciated.

[jdmidwest]

Plenty of water, just have to watch for things sticking up.  Current River is good with no restrictions until Big Spring, then it drops to 40hp.  Above 2 Rivers it drops down to 25hp.  Weekends are crazy and Doniphan area about as bad as LOZ on Saturday's.  Sunday is not as bad as long as no Holiday falls on that weekend.

Fishing is good.  Walleye picks up in Winter, not much this time of year.  They are there, but are normally by catches when fishing deep for bass.

The gauge there is deceptive, lots of deep water with narrow runs.  Only a problem with lots of traffic on water.

[Mark]

Thanks jd, for confirming there is plenty of water. We are retirees and would go on weekdays so assuming traffic not as bad, and probably slows more after Labor Day.

As far as fishing, I know the smallie bite slows some in late summer. Is it regular fishing size and limit regs for smallies at Doniphan? Is it good goggle eye and other panfish fishing? We would want to eat fish one night anyway.

[jdmidwest]

I really don't know the regs on smallies, have not kept one for 35 years.  I think there are standard regs in the lower Current.

Plenty of google eye and panfish.  Drum also.  Walleye may have a special reg also possibly, only keep them myself in lakes.

The area is full of timber and rocks, that is what makes it good.  Bigger deep holes down there and water gets a little darker, unlike the upper Current.

Weekdays are fine, less pressure.

[Ham]

The amount of spring fed water in the Current River keeps the smallies biting deep into Winter. I assume they stay active all summer too. 

[Mark]

If we launch jetboat (25 hp) at Two Rivers, is there plenty of water to fish upstream and downstream a good ways??

[jdmidwest]

Personally, I have not run the Current much above Powder Mill.  Two Rivers and above on either Jack's Fork or Current have been floating.  I know boats go there, but you have to pick your runs carefully.