Fishing in the Present River of Missouri Ozarks

There is no question that the Current River is the most diverse stream in Missouri. It starts out as a spring stream-style trout river, and slowly morphs into one of the best smallmouth bass streams in the nation. In addition to these species, there are also populations of Rock Bass, Walleye, and of course Bluegill.

The first twenty miles of the river make up classic trout water. The river begins where Montauk Spring rises in the bed of Pigeon Creek. For three miles below this point, the stream is supplied once a day with rainbow trout from March 1 to October 31. The upper portion of this stretch that flows through Montauk State Park is managed for flies only. Artificial lures like marabou jigs and single hook rooster tail spinners that are fished on a spinning rod are perfectly legal, along with traditional fly gear. The rest of the river in the park allows all lures and baits. Montauk Spring Branch also runs through the park. The first quarter mile is just for fly casting, below it all baits are allowed until you hit the Current River, and fish can be saved. This area is also supplied daily.

Beneath Montauk State Park for nine miles, the river is managed for trophies of rainbow and brown trout. The trout population varies from year to year, but you can count between 250 and 700 trout per mile, which is a respectable number. Most are brown, but there are quite a few rainbows too, including several wild trout. This is an excellent area for floating, but there is wading access at the lower end of Montauk State Park, Tan Vat, Baptist Camp, Parker Hollow, and Cedar Grove. This is a year-round fishery, with the best fishing in the seven miles between Montauk State Park and Parker Hollow Access. Between Parker Hollow and Cedar Grove there are certainly trout, but wading can be difficult and the number of fish is not very high. Only artificial lures and flies are allowed, and there is a restrictive length limit.

The eight miles between Cedar Grove and Akers Ferry are managed as a sell and catch trout fishery. Has a large number of rainbow trout between March and September. In the four miles between Cedar Grove and Welch Spring, the best trout fishing will be in the spring and fall as this is the only time trout are stocked. Below Welch Spring to Akers Ferry, the water is significantly cooler and the trout are stored throughout the summer. The best fishing is generally near the Welch Spring mouth, where trout are widely stored. Below Akers Ferry, there are pockets of trout all the way to Pulltite Spring, seven miles further down, but the numbers decrease significantly the further below Akers Ferry you get.

Between Akers Ferry and Round Spring, the fishing is spotty for both smallmouth bass and trout. There are a decent number of rainbow trout in the upper half and a decent number of smallmouth bass in the lower half, but the catch will be marginal. Bass fishing resumes in earnest at the Round Spring mouth. Between this point and Doniphan, Missouri is one of the best smallmouth waters in the state. Fish in the one to three pound range abound, and larger fish are not uncommon at all. Rock Bass and Bluegill can also be found in large numbers. Around Van Buren, walleye enter the scene. This is one of the best creek walleye fisheries in the nation, and large strains of Ozark walleye abound. The next world record could come from the Current River. Jigging, trolling, and live bait fishing are popular for catching these great walleye.

All Missouri anglers should try fishing the beautiful Current River. Its crystal clear waters are home to some of the best fishing in the United States. Whether you love smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, or just a large stringer of blue gills or suckers, this is a great place to go.