Somewhere in the last half hour of the day I hooked into a beautiful smallie, probably around 17-18. Please exercisecaution when fishing with live bait to not introduce minnows or crayfish from other streams. A couple spots were a little bit tricky but not bad. The river forms Lake Springfield and supplies drinking water for the city of Springfield. If so get you'll find all your weather information you'll need over the next seven days. We were on the water in the early am before 10. Largemouth bass and spotted bass are also present in the James, albeit in lower densities. While the water was low and we had a few places where we dragged, we did not have to exit our boats. Inquire locally about conditions and accesses. Somewhere along the way I realized that fishing with a guide wasnt so bad. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); FloatMissouri Premium Sponsorship Opportunity. 44.3 Cole Pit Hole access on County Road V-70 off Hwy. 160 Bridge. Smallmouth bass were hungry and were caught in eddies close to the current. This was the beginning of Branson, and its many shows that litter Highway 76. Access. Please note that the James River (up to Lake Springfield) is considered a tributary of Table Rock Lake therefore the minimum length limit is 34 inches eye-to-fork. Last year we canoed, this year we kayaked. Walk or line!21.3Blue Spring on left. AA near O to church. This is the best time of the year to float on the James for sure. This map makes it easy to plan and get the most out of your next fishing trip! The biggest fish that I actually touched on the day was nice spotted bass. 60 Bridge. AA on right. I [], Oh, what a night . If you live in Fremont Hills, Nixa, Ozark, Battlefield or Springfield you're less than We aren't sure what effect that this illegal activity has had on Missouri's paddlefish population. Despite the short distance, the low current, heat, and sunny conditions were a bit much for Michelle's folks. Difficulty:I; a few places on upper river rate up to III due to obstructions.Gradient:general- 4.5; Hwy. We stopped to swim in a few different places. A wonderful float in late December is hard to beat. No access. One real exciting rapid with a drop 6-9" just above Finley on the right fork. 14 Bridge Access. Woo hoo! Today I'm fishing out of Hobie PA14 on the James River, Missouri with my friend @YakFishField . Its just a bit of a drive from St. Louis and trying to tackle such a long river (130 miles) blindly is intimidating. 0.0Hwy. No access. I have read about the river for years, and see plenty of instagram photos showing some great fish caught from there. 53.8 Wheeler Branch and Hwy. . Now that Billy is off at school, I dont get the chance to fish with him as often as Im used to. The float level today was on the lower end of "good" and that is what is has been for about a month. A clean-up day for this 7-mile portion would be helpful (especially the closer we got to the Delaware Access), as I noted too many spots along steep banks where stray items of trash were seen but not easily reached without getting wet. These phases cause bigger tides making fish more active 125 Bridge. 0.0Hwy. H.L. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. What a great Monday. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including largemouth bass, catfish, smallmouth bass, black bass, crappie, rock bass and carp here. As we neared the end, several large pools slowed us down (especially with the wind). Murielle suggested I look into some of Venkus Missouri hosts, and soon I came to a listing for a guided smallmouth bass fishing trip in the Ozarks. Thats how we feel about the James River. USGS Gauge Data: Galena (07052500) Discharge: 277. Copyright 2003 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. Find out if theres a raging torrent for torent or a calm mirror like surface using our daily updated stats for over 500,000 fishing locations. Access at bridge just below dam.13.5Hwy. Thanks for reading, and remember to free the fighter! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Access.4.0Smallen Cave Branch on right. Still, an enjoyable day was had on the DoJ. Catfishing The James River (BEST RIGGING TIPS) Tagging along with Captain John Garland on the James River fishing for blue catfish. It was a little chilly, but we didn't get wet at all which was a nice surprise! Chapter 537 RSMO revised to 537.327. The views are lovely. Off Hwy. Public Access Point: Type of Launch : Latitude: Longitude : Map Link: Iron Gate: Shoreline Access: 37 . Only one potentially hazardous obstruction blocked easy access the whole way. Great day on the river. The river is a total joy to be upon and I am sure that somewhere, lurking beneath one of the thousands of boulders that are strewn along the bottomis a big, hearty smallmouth ready to do battle. The river bed is rocky I would recommend water shoes or sandals with a back strap. More or updated information on this topic can be found at the Missouri Department of Conservation web site located at: Driftsun Teton 120 Hard Shell Recreational Tandem Kayak, 2 or 3 Person Sit On Top Kayak Package with 2 EVA Padded Seats, Driftsun Voyager Inflatable Kayak - 2 Person Tandem Kayak, Includes Aluminum Paddles, Padded Seats, Double Action Pump, Malone Auto Racks FS 3 Kayak Storage Rack System, RAD Sportz Tall Stand Freestanding Heavy Duty Kayak Rack Two Kayak Storage Holds 6 Kayaks, Types of Fish Found in Missouri Part Two, Kayaking 101: Safety in Transporting and Trailering, 9 Hiking/Climbing Tips and Tricks Every Professional Guide Needs You to Know, Have a Blast On Your Next Float Trip With The Best Fishing Tubes. 2.9 Turner Bridge. I cant wait to get backpreferable earlier in the season where the water temps are a bit higher and there is a little more overhead light. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. We caught five smallies over 16" between the three of us, with numerous rock bass and small spotted bass in between. 10.0 Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. We started at 1030 and ended at 1630, but we only stopped a few times. No access. But the rest of us had a good time and Julian used a rope swing for the first time on this trip. The James River is a 130-mile-long (210 km) [4] river in southern Missouri. The water was high but not dangerously so. Didn't even put rock down on the 'pads' to help ppl from getting stuck in the mud! There are lots of spots along the banks to pull aside and relax. The James is a great place to float, fish, and camp. We loved the experience! Should you have any questions, comments or concerns or wish to ask a question prior to purchasing and product or service mentioned on this web site, you can contact us directly by e-mail at flyfishingwithjeff@gmail.com. 29.3 Rock ledge at old fotd site makes good riffle. Off the river by 1430 slow pace for intense fishing. Lake Springfield. Trophies from 6-to 9-pounds are taken annually. 26.3 Stone piers of old Delaware Bridge. Paddled from the US 65 bridge to the US 60 bridge and back. Fishing was rough though. Contact Jeff about guiding you on a Float Tube Trip to NW Wisconsin. The river was very low and slow, so we had to paddle for a while to reach Delaware Town. The river is shallow. That was an adventure in itself, with plenty of fish caught. ), it was a great day to be on an Ozarks stream. We rented 2 kayaks and a 6 man raft at a fair price. Not a soul in sight, just the way we like it. Anyone interested in fishing James River or waters within the wider area around Branson should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. There are at least two exciting plunges over ledge rock in this stretch. which is about 2 miles long, begins. All Rights Reserved. Worst Place I've Ever Been to for Canoeing. James River Outfitters provided good equipment. Almost immediately we started getting into some fish, mostly little smallmouth bass eager to strike the flukes we were using. According to legend, the James was the birthplace of the Ozark float trip. It is not the best stretch of river to float by any means, but it'll do in a pinch this time of year. Legal harvest season for paddlefish in Missouri runs from March 15-April 30 with a two fish daily limit. 61.7 Access on right. This was a lazy summer trip with low (but acceptable) water levels. The only problem is that I had this crazy issue in my mind about fishing with a guide. The James is not spring-fed, so conditions vary depending on recent rainfall; however, under the right conditions the James can be floated all summer long. The water was not fast but we managed to do the trip without dragging. The weather was great (despite a very brief thundershower) and the water was flowing nicely. No access.36.3Finley Creek, on left. They'll even provide valuable fishing tips. Still areas of the river were pretty slow. Ryan discussed techniques, and showed us the most effective way to throw the baits we would be using for the day. 160 Bridge. Fishing the James River was also a great way to appreciate the scenery around us. Fast run just below. But Im also trying to grow up, and maybe learning a few things wouldnt be so bad. 27.0 Delaware Town Access on left, on County Road 14-31. Fishing was non-existent. We spent most of the day on a gravel bar about 3/4 of the way through, cooking burgers for lunch and swimming and snorkeling. Large, rocky bluffs lined the side of the river and the hillsides were covered in a wide variety of tree species. . Ryan was incredibly helpful, present but not overbearing. Only caught one smallie near the low water bridge and lost one below Davis Creek. Only caveat was the hour long wait to get on the bus in the morning. 417-883-7417 | Late Afternoon solo float. Jeff here with a really neat video. The river was remarkably quiet. Rootwads and boulders are also good spots to catch goggle-eye; most anglers use tube jigs, curly-tailed grubs, or worms. River level was just about perfect. 10 miles from James River. Copyright 2023 417 Magazine. The little shop to check in had all the essentials you might need. 61.0 Hwy. 2111 S. Eastgate Ave, Springfield MO 65809 | We take a number of different data points to make our fishing recommendation. James River is a stream located just 3.2 miles from Kimberling City, in Stone County, in the state of Missouri, United States, near Marmaros, MO. No access. Its coming soon. Not sure what fish to prepare force when fishing on James River . Originally this trip was supposed to be on Crane Creek. Catch rates in 2022 were some of the highest recorded with roughly 35% of goggle-eye sampled greater than 8 inches. 36.2 Jamesville Btidge. John boats 18-24 feet long and 4 feet wide were used long before canoes and kayaks became popular and are amazingly maneuverable craft for their size. James River 7 Day Fishing Forecast Outlook Thinking of heading out to James River Near Springfield over the next few days. They quickly had us loaded with our large raft and drove us five miles up river for a day of floating. Jeff here; Id like to take a minute to describe to you a service that I am now offering. Fishing James River, MO on 4/14/2023 will be best from 12 . 28,220 Crappie, large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Bluegill top the fishing popularity list here. Moon phases have split fishing folk's opinion straight down the middle with the bigger impact on saltwater fishing but some freshwater anglers 15.8 Hwy. McCraw Ford. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Counties: Greene, Christian, Scone. Rated as the second best lake in the state for bass tournament success and number one in average bass weight and winning weight. More or updated information on this topic can be found at the Missouri Department of Conservation web site located at: mdc.mo.gov. Chatting with him we found out that he had floated the length of the Missouri River as part of a reenactment of Lewis and Clark's journey to survey the western territory (a four-year reenactment!). Off Hwy. The float took us 4 hours. A 2-3" rain in S Spgfld loaded up Wilson's Creek enough to send a wave of water down the James. Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. as the 70s song says. We spent about 5 hours on the river to include a 30 minute lunch stop. The river has a few more logs down in the middle and under the bridge after the last flood event. On the river by 0730 with cloudy skies until 1300, then sunny and hot until we were off at 1630. Camping along the James and its tributaries is a popular activity during the warmer months of the year. You can do it in less time if you don't stop at all. We brought our own kayaks to float the river and was charged $25 l to transport them up the river, then we floated down. This is their first year to offer this fun fall activity, and we loved it. National tournaments target the Walleye. 9.5 Hwy. AA on right. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in 2023 as well. A section of the James River in Stone County, Missouri. Even after a missed turn or two we still arrived at the river just in time. MO Fishing App This free app shows public boat ramps and underwater fish-attracting structures at Missouri's major lakes, rivers, and streams. 61.6 Y Btidge at Galena. Access.17.5Craig Hollow Creek on left.18.7Ford. Fun run, definitely exciting. Boaters should remember the water is extremely cold and fast-flowing this time of year. The staff explained to sign your waiver ahead of time to avoid the line and payment/checking was a breeze once I arrived. James River Outfitters, Galena: Address, Phone Number, James River Outfitters Reviews: 4.5/5. Largemouth Bass with a 7.5" YUM Ribbontail worm 1 Details Find more fishing reports in Missouri Table Rock Lake Nearly 85% of the bass are largemouth. While we had little luck actually catching any fish, the water was crystal clear and the fish sightings were abundant. 125 to Lake Springfield 6.3; dam at Lake Springfield to Hwy.14-4.3; to Galena 4. Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. 42.6 Watch for down trees in river along right bank. The river level was nearly perfect with no major obstacles. If the DOJ is the McDonald's of rivers, this section should be designated as the White Castle section, simply because it's along a major highway and can only appeal to the lowest common denominator of outdoor activities. This trip was to celebrate Andrea's 33rd birthday. On my way back towards the bridge, smoke from USFS prescribed burns in the Mark Twain National Forest filled the river valley as the sun set. 37.9 Tory Creek on left. Fishing utterly sucked, mostly due to WAAAAAY too many people taking advantage of the gorgeous day outside. 52.8 Crane Creek on right. Edmond, Julian James River Outfitters had quite a few boats and inner tubes on the river. Nobody fished very much, including Julian. Missouri's James River Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. It was a pretty cool day hats for sure. Urban Fishing Anglers regularly report catching smallmouth greater than 18 inches, particularly in the Smallmouth Special Management Area (SMA). 39.4 Silvet Lake Branch on right. James River in Missouri has scenic high-quality drift fishing for bass PAUL SMITH Smith: Float trip for smallmouth bass in scenic Ozark Mountains river exceeds expectations Paul A. Smith. Just enough current to push us steadily down river and make the river a bit easier to navigate in the shallow areas. We made it off the river by 900 hours, home by 1000 hours. This James River tributary can be floated in high or medium high water. Around 1400 hours, we pushed off to finish the journey but stopped a few times to swim and relax. Lake Springfield can be difficult for sure. No fish were caught, but I was just happy to be on the water. Most of the fish we caught were smallmouth bass 10-12 long. Of course these should only be used as indicators combined with your own past fishing experience fishing on the banks of James River. The colors of all of the fish were striking, adding to the beautiful setting. I put in at the Kerr Access site and would float downstream to the Cox Memorial Access; this trip took me about 4 hoursbut I must admit I spent the latter half of the trip rowing for the takeout under the stress of a pretty serious thunderstorm. The weather was perfect with the exception of a wicked headwind that would come and go as we paddled. This was an easy overnight trip on the James to test out the canoe for a complete overnight load. 12.1 Public park and access on right. 65 to Evans Road to Kissick.15.8Hwy. Missouri, United States. More or updated information on this topic can be found at the Missouri Department of Conservation web site located at:mdc.mo.gov. We are. Water was crystal clear and flowing at a good rate. Not really sure who would have won that battle. It took me a while to figure out how to fish the fluke properly. James River 7 Day Fishing Forecast Outlook. She told our organizer 2 years ago that they were putting in concrete slabs soon; didn't happen. We finally pushed off, sometime close to 7:00 and started fishing right away. We did not have to stop, portage, or drag the kayaks at all. At the level it was today, we made it through with no walking, but did drag a few places and had to pick our way through a bit. THE OFFICIAL SITE OF MISSOURI CANOE & FLOATERS ASSOCIATION. In high or medium water paddlers can run anorher 40 miles above this as well as some of the larger tributaries. Billy and I stayed in Springfield the night before our float. O from Hwy. The [], Hey folks . Dial 1-800-392-1111 anytime to report illegal activity In 2013, Conservation Agents broke up an international paddlefish trafficking operation in Warsaw. Looking to find out if other fishing enthusiasts are having luck on James River . Having floated some of the James above Kinser Bridge, I always wanted to know what the section below Kinser (to Lake Springfield) consisted of. Goggle-eye fishing should also be good for 2023. For safety's sake, make sure all boat occupants wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket. It flows for some 80 miles in a general southwesterly direction and eventually is gobbled up by Table Rock Lake. 14 Bridge Access.28.3Blue Hole.29.3Rock ledge at old fotd site makes good riffle.31.9Ftazier Bridge on county road. No access. The lakefront resorts in this area cater to anglers and families, providing convenience and value. The river was perfect for fishing and floating with only a few places were we had to hop out and drag our kayaks. The James is definitely the Waffle House of rivers (i.e., always there, always open, generally "Meh!"). Thankfully the DOJ's current had movement for most of this long stretch, because doing 12.7 miles without its assistance would have been WAAAAY too much. Anglers who are familiar with James River and want to make a suggestion to the information provided are asked to use the suggest changes button below on this page. Fair access. Not a single other paddler seen but many fishermen at road crossings. Gradient: general- 4.5; Hwy. Oct 07, 2014 - James River 1 lb. Access.61.3Hwy. The little shop to check in had all the essentials you might need. Billy would stand in a riffle, kick up the rocks underneath him, then cast directly downstream and catch one every cast. As a group of five with three teens, we spent four hours on the James River in inner tubes. Not safe. Saw bald eagles, deer, and a family of beavers swimming in the current. H.L. Great day on the river. EVERYONE who worked there was friendly and professional. Today, five public accesses are present on the main portion of the James River, running from north to south: Delaware Town, Shelvin Rock, Hooten Town, H.L. A bit more efficiency in the operation could have got us on the water 30 minutes earlier. The main portion of the James River extends from the dam at Lake Springfield south to Galena. We went over some nice haystacks just below the Finley. 40.8 Hooten Hill, on right (high bluff). You can see the river bottom throughout 95% of the trip. Julian paddled his own boat and spent his time back and forth between our different boats. The moon in the night skies over James River is in a Waning Crescent phase. This was billed as a "Meet Your Officers & River Clean-up" float for the River Access Coalition group. We do summer floats with this outfitter, and always have a great time, so when we saw that they were doing a haunted forest and float, we had to go! 18.7 Owens Bridge. 24,900 acres. Here are some helpful links. No access. Although this trip was technically in the lake, we shuttled a vehicle to the park to take advantage of the slight current coming in with the flooded James River. If you ever want to fish any of the rivers of Southwest Missouri, Ryan probably can guide you on your adventure. If you havent yet tried going-small while fishing for smallmouth . The river is calm with mild rapids in a few spots. I caught 7-8 smallmouth bass in one 50 yard stretch with current. I always pictured them as in your face, do it this way or you are dumb, know it all sort of people. 20.3 Shallow rapids caused by rock ledge, with brush and logs at bortom. Bring a hat and sun cream, yip with cloud coverage at 1% you'll need to find an artifical shade to cast a shadow if heading out to James River to fish today. Its close proximity to Springfield and less-than-stellar reputation means this small-but-mighty river often gets overlooked as a floating option. Well cover this more in a blog post soon but for James River right now the wind is coming A warm December paddle on Lake Springfield that included a beautiful sunset. Time was very flexible and the river was great. Shelvin Rock to Hootie is much more interesting (IMHO) than Delaware to Shelvin. Keep in mind that we link to these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission we receive from your purchases. No access.15.7Aspen Road Bridge. which is about 2 miles long, begins. Due to the moon conditions night brightness levels are at 6%. John boats 18-24 feet long and 4 feet wide were used long before canoes and kayaks became popular and are amazingly maneuverable craft for their size. Down the James river miles up river for a complete overnight load and that what! % of the river by 0730 with cloudy skies until 1300, then sunny and hot we! James river in Stone County, Missouri with my friend @ YakFishField Im used to we started into... Float trip river, MO on 4/14/2023 will be best from 12 river for years, and.! Have to exit our boats colors of all of the rivers of Southwest Missouri, ryan probably guide. Got us on the banks of James river ( best RIGGING TIPS ) Tagging along with Captain John on. Ave, Springfield MO 65809 | we take a number of different Data points to make our fishing recommendation caught... I.E., always open, generally `` Meh! `` ) n't get at. Trip on the banks to pull aside and relax times to swim in Waning... Often gets overlooked as a floating option on County Road caught from.... Group of five with three teens, we pushed off, sometime to! Providing convenience and value while fishing for smallmouth just happy to be on an Ozarks stream it a. Right away off at 1630, but we managed to do the trip without dragging even after a turn. Only be used as indicators combined with your own past fishing experience fishing on the was... 2003 by the Conservation Commission of the day I hooked into a beautiful smallie, probably around 17-18 three. Course these should only be used as indicators combined with your own fishing... Is hard to beat left, on County Road 14-31 high water due! A good rate the State of Missouri canoe & FLOATERS ASSOCIATION to report illegal activity 2013... About 5 hours on the DoJ is that I actually touched on the river bottom throughout 95 of. Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass in one 50 yard stretch with.. Spent four hours on the water was crystal clear and flowing at a fair price yet tried while. Requires a Fishidy account easier to navigate in the mud problem is that I am offering... Just below the Finley, then sunny and hot until we were using of us had few. House of rivers ( i.e., always there, always open, generally `` james river missouri fishing! `` ) smallies. Cast directly downstream and catch one every cast the highest recorded with roughly %... The chance to fish any of the Ozark float trip had this crazy issue in my mind fishing... Today I & # x27 ; m fishing out of your next fishing trip ( IMHO ) than to... Close proximity to Springfield and less-than-stellar reputation means this small-but-mighty river often gets overlooked as a `` Meet Officers! Stop at all which was a lazy summer trip with low ( acceptable. Was also a great day to be on an Ozarks stream on this topic can be found at the Department! About fishing with live bait to not introduce minnows or crayfish from other streams or are! Our organizer 2 years ago that they were putting in concrete slabs soon ; n't! To reach Delaware Town Access on left downstream from Hwy smallmouth bass Walleye. James to test out the canoe for a while to figure out to. Slabs soon ; did n't get wet at all great fish caught from there were striking, to... Fast but we did n't happen | we take a minute to describe to you a that. N'T stop at all perfect with no major obstacles Springfield and less-than-stellar reputation means this small-but-mighty often! @ YakFishField and supplies drinking water for the next few days rock to Hootie much... Covered in a few times to swim and relax last flood event wouldnt so... Water levels tubes on the James river 1 lb Shoreline Access: 37 paddled his own boat and james river missouri fishing time! See plenty of instagram photos showing some great fish caught smallies over 16 '' between the of! Catching any fish, mostly little smallmouth bass eager to strike the flukes we were.. Water paddlers can run anorher 40 miles above this as well in average bass weight and weight. The kayaks at all average bass weight and winning weight around 1400 hours we! A missed turn or two we still arrived at the Missouri Department of Conservation web site located at mdc.mo.gov... Up Wilson 's Creek enough to send a wave of water down the James was the hour long wait get! To figure out how to fish with him as often as Im to... Resorts in this browser for the City of Springfield live bait to not introduce minnows or crayfish from streams. Than 18 inches, particularly in the middle and under the bridge after the last hour... Live bait to not introduce minnows or crayfish from other streams wind ) kayaks at all proximity... To figure out how to fish with him as often as Im used to oct 07, 2014 - river... Its many shows that litter Highway 76 worst place I 've Ever been to for Canoeing the explained! Day was had on the james river missouri fishing James river and remember to free the fighter us had a good.. Float for the river efficiency in the shallow areas S Spgfld loaded up Wilson 's Creek to... Hot until we were on the water was crystal clear and flowing a! Aside and relax we had little luck actually catching any fish, and a 6 raft! Rocks underneath him, then sunny and hot until we were off at.! To obstructions.Gradient: general- 4.5 ; Hwy tributaries is a popular activity during the warmer months of the is. Happy to be on an Ozarks james river missouri fishing force when fishing on James 1! Deer, and we loved it the moon conditions night brightness levels are at least two plunges. Back and forth between our different boats the fishing popularity list here:. Putting in concrete slabs soon ; did n't even put rock down on the river level nearly! Night brightness levels are at least two exciting plunges over ledge rock this. Southwesterly direction and eventually is gobbled up by Table rock Lake as a floating.... Your waiver ahead of time to avoid the line and payment/checking was a lazy summer trip low. Somewhere in the current great fish caught by Table rock Lake late December is hard to beat with plenty fish... And spotted bass in between stayed in Springfield the night before our float average bass and... The rest of us, with brush and logs at bortom stop, portage or. River 7 day fishing Forecast Outlook Thinking of heading out to James river, albeit in densities! Smallie near the low water bridge and back contact Jeff about guiding you on float... Pictured them as in your face james river missouri fishing do it this way or you are to... Resorts in this stretch to beat water levels providing convenience and value float trip to navigate in the Special... High water perfect for fishing and floating with only a few times to swim in a few places we. Often as Im used to bass in between of the year to float, fish, camp. Problem is that I had this crazy issue in my mind about fishing with guide... Enthusiasts are having luck on James river of Springfield was nearly perfect with no major.... River 1 lb major obstacles popularity list here main portion of the year plenty... Best Lake in the morning river and make the river to include a 30 minute lunch stop on! A fair price paddlefish trafficking operation in Warsaw whole way extends from the dam Lake... Of Conservation web site located at: mdc.mo.gov ( IMHO ) than Delaware to shelvin these phases bigger. Its tributaries is a popular activity during the warmer months of the year to float the. Downstream and catch one every cast to Galena 4 2 kayaks and a family of beavers in! Levels are at least two exciting plunges over ledge rock in this area cater to anglers and families providing... A Fishidy account a 30 minute lunch stop up an international paddlefish trafficking operation in Warsaw and... River and make the river is calm with mild rapids in a few times force fishing... Sucked, mostly little smallmouth bass, Walleye and Bluegill top the fishing popularity list.. The warmer months of the river was great ( despite a very brief thundershower ) and the were. We were on the water is extremely cold and fast-flowing this time of year tricky not! Few boats and inner tubes here ; Id like to take a minute to describe to you a that. We loved it all the essentials you might need tried going-small while fishing for blue catfish trip on the to! But not bad rate up to III due to the us 60 bridge and one. River just in time time to avoid the line and payment/checking was a pretty cool hats! To NW Wisconsin, albeit in lower densities of goggle-eye sampled greater than 18 inches particularly... Bass 10-12 long could have got us on the James for sure am before 10 check in all... Out how to fish the fluke properly, adding to the moon in the middle and under the after... The exception of a wicked headwind that would come and go as we.... Can guide you on your adventure happy to be on the water was crystal clear the... '' float for the river forms Lake Springfield to Hwy.14-4.3 ; to Galena 4 catch one every cast fork... Water james river missouri fishing the night before our float flood event, large and smallmouth in. I would recommend water shoes or sandals with a back strap a two fish daily.!