Spring Break Trout Trip Help?

[Walleye Wisdom]

So a couple buddies and I are thinking about heading to Arakansas/Missouri for some trout fishing. Where would we have our best luck? We most likely won't all be able to fit into my boat, so we will be shore fishing. I've heard lots of good things about the White River, but woulld be open to any shore fishing opportunites. I trout fish a lot here in Iowa, but my buddies have a limited knowledge of it. What are some good options for us? Thanks again for the help!

[Danoinark]

You could shore fish at any of the accesses. I think if you invested in some waders or even borrowed some just for this trip your would have more flexibility and be able to cover more fishable water..

Dano

[Terrapin Station]

Honestly, if your buddies have limited knowledge and you're limited to shore fishing, a place like Bennett or Montauk might fit your needs well.

I've fished both the Norfork and White and if generation is full bore and you don't have a boat, you're SOL! Inexperienced boaters on those waters would also be well advised to hire a guide as it's not water you want to learn on!

[Guest]

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[OKFlyFisher44]

Another thing...are you spin-fishing or fly fishing? If you're pretty new to trout fishing, I also would stay away from some of the bigger tailwaters...could be tough fishing without a boat and waders. Invest in some waders though....you can get into a decent pair for $50-$100 from Cabelas or Bass Pro.

As far as places to fish...I'd stick to the state parks as fishing will be easier especially if you're not looking to do any wade fishing. I've fished Bennett and Roaring River....both are good places to fish. If you get some waders, you might also look into fishing Taneycomo as its not too tough most times and fish are pretty easy to find.

How many days do you have to fish? When I was in college...we had 9 days more or less starting on saturday and ending the following sunday. Probably figure in a day to travel down and a day to travel home, I'd think? You could fish several good places in a week's time....or just fish a few places a couple of days each...

Lots of options to go with!

[Walleye Wisdom]

We are will be using spinning gear. I have a set of wader and all the gear i need, i just need a general area that is decent for trout fishing. Just about every trip we go on, i end up catching all the fish while my buddies can't seem to learn the area, so i kind of feel bad. I am a tournament angler while my buddies have the basics down, but have a hard time adjusting to different species or areas.

When you say lake Tanycoma (sp?) do you mean wade on the lake itself, or the tail waters below?

Also, what sections of the White River are we talking?

I'd like to stay away from crowds, a pretty secluded areas. It's not uncommon for my to walk 3+ miles one way trout fishing here in Iowa, so walking isn't a problem for me.

The other option we were looking at was Lake Michigan out of Racine, WI, some HUGE browns there, but we are wanting warmer weather than that....lol

[Guest]

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[Danoinark]

For the White River I would fish at the Cotter Access or the Bull Shoals State Park.

On the Norfork fish below the dam at Quarry Park. Quarry Park access would be best for shore fishing.

Dano

[drew03cmc]

I too would lean toward the trout parks in Missouri. Namely the park at Roaring River. That park was kind to me before I learned to fly fish. There is no wading in RRSP except for in the catch and release area and below the park itself on Roaring River.

[Terrapin Station]

With both Montauk and Bennett, you have the trout park which offers ample opportunity for your friends to get into fish. And if you desire less of a circus atmosphere, just walk 1/2 mile outside of the park and it'll just be you, fish and an otter or Bald Eagle.