smallmouth wade fishing opportunities in the spring

[ness]

5 minutes ago, basska said:

Funny enough, there's another Indian Creek in KC that I fish quite a bit for Catfish. I have caught Gar, Carp and my only Flathead from this creek. Right at Watts Mill at 103rd and State Line. That's a pretty solid local spot if you like that type of fishing... It's pretty dirty though and definitely not what I would call scenic. I hear more upstream into Kansas, there is a decent LMB population. I haven't tried my hand at it yet.

I'm right there at least a couple times a year. Not to fish, but to eat at Jasper's  

[Fishmonger]

1 minute ago, basska said:

Funny enough, there's another Indian Creek in KC that I fish quite a bit for Catfish. I have caught Gar, Carp and my only Flathead from this creek. Right at Watts Mill at 103rd and State Line. That's a pretty solid local spot if you like that type of fishing... It's pretty dirty though and definitely not what I would call scenic. I hear more upstream into Kansas, there is a decent LMB population. I haven't tried my hand at it yet.

I believe we are probably talking about the same Indian creek then, I know exactly where you're talking about. Wouldn't expect there to be flathead there but that's pretty cool. Over the last couple of years I have actually fished just about every inch of that creek from right around where you're talking about to up past the Corporate Woods area. For most of that stretch I very rarely see largemouth, and when I do they very rarely surpass 8 inches or so, but up around the corporate woods area you start to see a lot more. 

[basska]

3 minutes ago, ness said:

I'm right there at least a couple times a year. Not to fish, but to eat at Jasper's  

Delicious. I know them quite well and used to work at the Fruit Stand in high school.

[tjm]

I wonder in the USA how many "Indian Creeks" there are? 

Most creek and river names got used over and over  but "Indian" and "Sugar" seem to get most use.

 

[basska]

4 minutes ago, Fishmonger said:

I believe we are probably talking about the same Indian creek then, I know exactly where you're talking about. Wouldn't expect there to be flathead there but that's pretty cool. Over the last couple of years I have actually fished just about every inch of that creek from right around where you're talking about to up past the Corporate Woods area. For most of that stretch I very rarely see largemouth, and when I do they very rarely surpass 8 inches or so, but up around the corporate woods area you start to see a lot more. 

Makes sense. It’s my “easy” spot, when I want to put in minimum effort for fishing. It does produce Catfish pretty consistently for me. Nothing of size, so the Flathead was an awesome shock. Fought me for 5-10 minutes with my 4LB Mono. Attached is the catch.
 

The Indian Creek I hope to visit this summer is down in SW Missouri near the towns of Lanagan and Anderson. It’s not much of a secret that it’s a great wading stream for Smallmouth, and really only a couple hours down 49. Should be fun! 

[Fishmonger]

On 1/15/2025 at 8:14 PM, basska said:

Fishmonger - I was about to post a near identical thread. Very cool.

Like yourself, this spring (appears to be it will be May), I am planning on exploring some scenic wadeable Smallmouth streams within a 3 hour radius of where I live in KC. I believe this leaves me with two river basins to explore: The Niangua and The Elk. If I could find a way to get my hands on a reasonably priced copy of 200 Missouri Smallmouth Streams, I think that would benefit us both greatly. 

My question to you - What neck of the woods are you in and how long have you been fishing/how old are y'all? If you ever want to explore some tribs once it warms up, I'd be game.

My question to the more veteran members of the group - While I know the smaller wading creeks that hold excellent fisheries are too delicate to be named explicitly, do you all have any recommendations/preferences towards exploring the tribs of the Niangua and Elk?

Sorry I lost this message at the time. we're all college-age and grew up fishing in the Overland Park area for about as long as I can remember. I'm in Lawrence now where the fishing situation is surprisingly different from home but still fun. 

[ness]

24 minutes ago, basska said:

Delicious. I know them quite well and used to work at the Fruit Stand in high school.

I know the fruit stand.

We do Marco Polo's for lunch fairly often. My office is just down the road at Homes and 435. We've also done 2 or 3 of Jasper's cooking classes. Good stuff, too much to eat really, and he's a funny and engaging guy. 

I'll also pick up some 'groceries' on the way home occasionally at Gomer's right there

 

[basska]

1 hour ago, ness said:

I know the fruit stand.

We do Marco Polo's for lunch fairly often. My office is just down the road at Homes and 435. We've also done 2 or 3 of Jasper's cooking classes. Good stuff, too much to eat really, and he's a funny and engaging guy. 

I'll also pick up some 'groceries' on the way home occasionally at Gomer's right there

 

Haha nice. It's a good little area. Good sandwiches too. My work isn't located too far off. 89th and Wornall. So, if anybody here is unsatisfied with their insurance, let me know and I can get you a good quote 😂

[basska]

1 hour ago, Fishmonger said:

Sorry I lost this message at the time. we're all college-age and grew up fishing in the Overland Park area for about as long as I can remember. I'm in Lawrence now where the fishing situation is surprisingly different from home but still fun. 

I am also college aged. What is your alma-mater? KU is a blast; I went there a ton last year. If you want to get together and find some fish, let me know. 

Crazy this forum turning over into a community with our generation lol.

[snagged in outlet 3]

4 hours ago, basska said:

Crazy this forum turning over into a community with our generation lol.

I don’t think one picture of a dead carp is exactly “turning it over”. 😆