'You will miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.' - Wayne Gretzky Dial 1-800-392-1111 anytime to report illegal activity In 2013, Conservation Agents broke up an international paddlefish trafficking operation in Warsaw. A couple spots were a little bit tricky but not bad. The James River is situated right in the midst of the Ozarks and quite frankly is some of the most lovely water and scenery that I have experienced while fly fishing across America. We caught them in the current, up against rock banks, and under root wads or submerged trees. 10.0 Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. Access.17.5Craig Hollow Creek on left.18.7Ford. Lake Springfield. Kerr Access on Horse Cteek Road.58.3Yocums Camp on tight. The night was cool but good. The James River is located in an historic part of Missouri, near the Wilson Creek Battlefield site that was part of the "War of Northern Aggression" (aka the Civil War), so there is much to see around this stream, as well as the enjoyment derived from paddling its quiet waters. The colors of all of the fish were striking, adding to the beautiful setting. Chris and I cut up a tree obstruction on one particularly tricky run. Despite the short distance, the low current, heat, and sunny conditions were a bit much for Michelle's folks. 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. Lake fishing regulations apply downstream from here. No access.2.9Turner Bridge. Fishing was non-existent despite good efforts. Copyright 2003 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. No access.6.2Hwy. 160 Bridge. Well done. Supplies in town. Late Afternoon solo float. 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. Smallmouth fishing should continue to be excellent in 2023 with roughly 25% of the smallmouth sampled greater than 15 inches. Paddled upstream 1.5 miles (approx. It takes about three and a half hours in a canoe, which makes it the perfect length to knock out of work early and get out on the water on a weekday. We took our time, enjoyed the water, and made the float last about 4.5 hours. You can do it in less time if you don't stop at all. Lake Springfield backs up water beyond this point.9.7Farm Road 181 Bridge. What a great Monday. A gentle northeast wind made the float easy and even with heavy fishing, we made it to Hootentown in under six hours. We caught five smallies over 16" between the three of us, with numerous rock bass and small spotted bass in between. So the trip was on, and we were excited. We made it off the river by 900 hours, home by 1000 hours. The [], Hey folks . Someone reported much higher haystacks above the Finley. Required fields are marked *. H.L. It flows from northeast Webster County until it is impounded into Table Rock Lake. 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. No access. Otherwise, float was incident free and a great day to be on the river. We stopped to swim in a few different places. Water was clear, fishing non-existent, since I didn't even see any in the water. The largest population of paddlefish in the world swims in this water a. A few of the riffles were too low and some places ended up being traps for the boats because of the low water. 60 Bridge. The lake level was at 916.41 but we were in a still pool for the last mile of the trip. James River At Galena is located in Stone County in Missouri. Fishing was rough though. I think I scraped more surface off the bottom of my kayak on this trip alone than all other trips combined. If you havent yet made it to Branson, it is quite the cityand quite the story. These sites are provided for the public with the expressed sole purposes of boating and fishing. A thunderstorm blew up and passed to our north. Disclosure: Some of the links on FlyFishingWithJeff.com are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a commission. Fishing James River, MO on 4/14/2023 will be best from 12 . Theres an old saying on wind direction which has many variations but here's the most popular which I'm sure you've heard: Wind from the West, fish bite the best. It was very windy and cloudy for nearly the entire time, making for an unpleasant float. This is an electronic reprint of a Missouri Department of Conservation document. Camping along the James and its tributaries is a popular activity during the warmer months of the year. It was a pretty cool day hats for sure. V parallels rivet.46.3Goff Creek on left. 65 Bridge. Missouri residents age 16 years and older . Very difficult log jam and rapid to portage at the end of the golf course. I caught 7-8 smallmouth bass in one 50 yard stretch with current. I owe a bit of thanks to Murielle and Venku for leading on an adventure that wasnt even on our radar a few months ago. Check-in was a breeze since I did the online reservations and waivers. Smallmouth bass were hungry and were caught in eddies close to the current. Height: 3.13 Source: Edmond. The striper fishery deserves special mention as one of the nations' finest, with potential to produce record fish in the 50-pound category. Only caught one smallie near the low water bridge and lost one below Davis Creek. The biggest fish, though, were caught away from the bank near large chunk rock. Not thinking through the full potential for a HUGE schmuck-a-rama to happen on the DoJ this Saturday, we arrived at Shelvin Rock to find the river access PACKED with fellow paddlers, cars, and trailers. Missouri's James River Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. Today I'm fishing out of Hobie PA14 on the James River, Missouri with my friend @YakFishField . We were loaded and off the water by 1:30pm. This was a Birthday Week float for Sarah, since her 40th would be on Friday. 07.01.2017 - Fishing on the James River from Cox/Indian Creek access to JRO (James River Outfitters) ~ 11 miles. We were allowed to peak into a tent. A warm December paddle on Lake Springfield that included a beautiful sunset. 65. take Evans Road to Southwood Road. 125 Bridge. Check-in was a breeze since I did the online reservations and waivers. The weather was beautiful, the water level was nearly perfect with clear, flowing water. 40.8 Hooten Hill, on right (high bluff). No Portages, but some dragging, some due to choosing the wrong lines an my first trip on this river. First, to see the experiences Venku has to offer: For information about the Ozark Smallmouth Alliance and some great fishing tips, check this out: https://ozarkssmallmouthalliance.blogspot.com, https://mdc.mo.gov/property/watersheds/james-river. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. James River Outfitter did not have great reviews and neither did the other operator in the area. Fishing James River, MO on 4/14/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from 12:00AM to 12:00AM. 56.6 Horse Creek on left. The SMA runs from the Hooten Town Bridge (the Loop Road at Route O) to the Highway 413/Highway 265 bridge at Galenawhere special limits apply. A 2-3" rain in S Spgfld loaded up Wilson's Creek enough to send a wave of water down the James. Use caution, particularly in high water. The current state record white bass - a 5-pound, 6-ounce behemoth - was pulled from Table Rock on March 19, 2002. Weather conditions are not optimal, but there is still opportunity to land some trout. Floated from Joe Crighton to south of Farm Road 164 and back. Ready for spring! The fishing wasn't off-the-charts good, but we all did catch a few here and there. 1/2 mi past the Big Bend Road bridge) then returned back to Shelvin. 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. The fishing regulatory body for Missouri is Missouri Department of Conservation . V parallels rivet. . 21.3 Blue Spring on left. Hwys. which is about 2 miles long, begins. Tailwaters Access (Springfield City Utilities) on right, off Hwy. Widely recognized as an outstanding fishing resource. Well cover this more in a blog post soon but for James River right now the wind is coming Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Click here for the latest 7 day fishing weather forecast for James River. He is a fixture along the banks of the James River, and "Catfish TC", as he is known, is quite content on solid ground, thank you very much. Difficulty:I; a few places on upper river rate up to III due to obstructions.Gradient:general- 4.5; Hwy. 3.0 San Francisco St. Louis R.R. Most of the fish we caught were smallmouth bass 10-12 long. We rented 2 kayaks and a 6 man raft at a fair price. You can see the river bottom throughout 95% of the trip. Use caution, particularly in high water.44.3Cole Pit Hole access on County Road V-70 off Hwy. Billy and I found Ryan already there, kayaks ready and on the ramp. All the staff was top notch. 0.0 Hwy. The little shop to check in had all the essentials you might need. Go to MCFA Home Page, Under Missouri law, an outfitter is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in paddlesport activities resulting from the inherent risks of paddlesport activities pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Just enough current to push us steadily down river and make the river a bit easier to navigate in the shallow areas. Even after a missed turn or two we still arrived at the river just in time. M and U. The James is definitely the Waffle House of rivers (i.e., always there, always open, generally "Meh!"). Water was crystal clear and flowing at a good rate. We arrived at about 10 with our trip already booked and waivers filled out online and waited until about 11 before we were transported to the start point. Here's a list of our favorite state parks in southwest Missouri and Arkansas to help you map out your next outdoor adventure. Paddled from the US 65 bridge to the US 60 bridge and back. swear their catch improves when the moon is in a "New" or "Full" moon phase. Recently on my fall breakmy wife and I visited Branson, Missouri for a week. Looks like you had a great time! Although the water was relatively low, most places were fine in a kayak if you were careful and paid attention. The ultimate guide to camping and sleeping under the stars in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Despite this float being on the DoJ (and literally finding a Port-a-Potty outhouse IN the river! The water was high but not dangerously so. 45.0 Old Stillhouse Hollow, which is spring fed, on right. 61.6 Y Btidge at Galena. Very professional, thorough and organized from the time I called for reservations. 52.8 Crane Creek on right. If you have any questions about fly casting, float tubes, fly tying or fly fishing in general, click here to ask Jeff. No access. USGS Gauge Data: Galena (07052500) Discharge: 277. All day long, at any moment, fish were visible in the clear water. The main portion of the James River extends from the dam at Lake Springfield south to Galena. Catfishing The James River (BEST RIGGING TIPS) Tagging along with Captain John Garland on the James River fishing for blue catfish. Catch rates in 2022 were some of the highest recorded with roughly 35% of goggle-eye sampled greater than 8 inches. They have set up some awesome scenes to walk through with tons of props (we go crazy decorating every Halloween and know very well how much time and money go into something that elaborate), then you reach the river bank where a boatmen picks you up on a raft and streers you toward the tableaus on the bank. The river was very low and slow, so we had to paddle for a while to reach Delaware Town. Congrats on the spotted bass. We aren't sure what effect that this illegal activity has had on Missouri's paddlefish population. This is an electronic reprint of a Missouri Department of Conservation document. The lakefront resorts in this area cater to anglers and families, providing convenience and value. The feisty rainbows were hitting on hair jigs at first, then as the day wore on only size 16 or 18 scuds. which results in an awesome experience on the water. Urban Fishing Hey folks . Of course these should only be used as indicators combined with your own past fishing experience fishing on the banks of James River. This was a lazy summer trip with low (but acceptable) water levels. There are dams to portage, but the pools they form are short. Thats how we feel about the James River. Weekdays tend to be the best times to be on the James, as the weekends can get quite busy and, at times, a bit rowdy. The flow on the day was perfect and kept me and my boat tooling along at about the right speed to cast and drift. Read about it here. We're building software in our members area to tell you. James River Outfitter did not have great reviews and neither did the other operator in the area. Not correct. The biggest perk of the James is how close it is to Springfield. No access. Click here for the latest 7 day fishing weather forecast for James River . If you want to avoid the crowds, consider going Monday through Thursday. No ramp, but easy canoe/kayak access. 2023 Fishidy. Counties: Greene, Christian, Scone. Our recommendation is based on aspects about the weather conditions, moon phase & water conditions. Fly Fishing The James River in Missouri - YouTube If you find yourself in the Branson, Missouri area.needing a little fly fishing time, then look no further than the James River. AA near O to church. Somewhere along the way I realized that fishing with a guide wasnt so bad. Thanks for reading, and remember to free the fighter! We both labored through some restless sleep, so waking up at 4:30 was no big deal. Montague Spring, 2.5 miles up creek, reached via Hwy. Its close proximity to Springfield and less-than-stellar reputation means this small-but-mighty river often gets overlooked as a floating option. However, I lost the battle when it took me under a boulder and broke off. 65 Bridge and mill dam. EVERYONE who worked there was friendly and professional. Still areas of the river were pretty slow. The water was clear and flowing slowly with only a few faster riffles. Branson sits along the White River. Trophies from 6-to 9-pounds are taken annually. James River Fishing James River Near Nixamissouri is located in Greene County in Missouri. Catfish and white bass are present but underfished. The ultimate social distancing activity. Next thing you know Billy and I were booked for a half-day trip on a Sunday in September fishing the James River. No access.61.6Y Btidge at Galena. Despite the short distance, the low current, heat, and sunny conditions were a bit much for Michelle's folks. Rootwads and boulders are also good spots to catch goggle-eye; most anglers use tube jigs, curly-tailed grubs, or worms. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish. Waded / paddle up to the mouth of Panther Creek and then floated back to the bridge. James River Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. Kerr Access on Horse Cteek Road. The current did the rest, adding quite a bit of movement to the fluke. The. Escape Branson for a scenic, peaceful, fun day. Channel catfish should provide good fishing opportunities in 2023 as well. Not safe. Labor Day 2022 Float We were on the water by 0730 and targeted structure along the edge with shaky heads and wacky rigs. We ate lunch at the corner beneath the bluff. Note that three river arms of Table Rock Lake - James River, Long Creek and Kings River - hold the majority of the crappie population in the lake. Leave routine behind and embark on a little adventure to find shopping, dining and experiences that are a bit off the beaten path. The water level was fine for this trip, but we counted perhaps 6-8 obstacles that were technically challenging in a canoe or for an inexperienced kayaker. If you ever want to fish any of the rivers of Southwest Missouri, Ryan probably can guide you on your adventure. Its funny that no matter how old I get, I still get so excited about an outdoor adventure the next day that I have trouble sleeping. 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. It is not the cleanest section of the James. As the morning light slowly crept through the fog, we talked fishing and tied up the rods for the day of fishing the James River. The river was remarkably quiet. River was a bit crowded, especially for a weekday. Only caveat was the hour long wait to get on the bus in the morning. 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. This i Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. 15.8 Hwy. 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. National tournaments target the Walleye. We saw osprey, eagles, a huge kettle of vultures, herons and pileated woodpeckers. Our group of 4 picked James River Outfitters and we were SUPER pleased with everything. Missouri, United States. Ryan helped us along by standing on his kayak and pointing out submerged boulders or even fish that we could not see from our lower vantage point. If you can get out, do it! Only one potentially hazardous obstruction blocked easy access the whole way. 65. The water was comfortable for swimming. which means its less optimal fishing time. 39.7 Hooten Town Access on right, on Hotten Town Road. Please ensure to adhere to the fishing regulations for the state. The fishing regulatory body for Missouri is Missouri Department of Conservation . Fishing the James River was also a great way to appreciate the scenery around us. However one of the fine fishing floats always has been the 22-mile section from Hooten Town to Galena and this may srill be floated even with john boats. Walk or line!21.3Blue Spring on left. Topwater fishing, particularly around sunrise and sunset, can provide an especially thrilling experience to kick-off or cap-off a day on the water. 26.3 Stone piers of old Delaware Bridge. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including largemouth bass, catfish, smallmouth bass, black bass, crappie, rock bass and carp here. There are 12 public access points on the Upper James River Water Trail that are owned and operated by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. I have asthma and am highly allergic. No access. Our group of 4 picked James River Outfitters and we were SUPER pleased with everything. The trick was to fish it slowly, and twitch the bait just enough to get some erratic action. 50.4 Private access on right side, off Hwy. Lastly, I mentioned that the flukes we were using were poured by Jackin Jaws Baits. The take out near Rivercut is not the best access site but it does the job. Minnows with a slip bobber fished around rootwads and fallen timber are a great place to start, particularly in the spring months. (417) 889-6633 1111 E Republic Rd Suite #140, Springfield, MO 65807 Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 12-4pm 248-13 Bridge. While we had little luck actually catching any fish, the water was crystal clear and the fish sightings were abundant. O from Hwy. The variety and quantity of fish in the James river says a lot about the quality of the fishery. 37.9 Tory Creek on left. Fair access.12.4Tailwaters Access (Springfield City Utilities) on right, off Hwy. This trip was to celebrate Andrea's 33rd birthday. Off Hwy. Great day on the river. 65 to Evans Road to Kissick.15.8Hwy. James River 7 Day Fishing Forecast Outlook. A section of the James River in Stone County, Missouri. This last trip I visited the river just a few days after a pretty serious rain eventwhich caused the water flow to be both up and a bit stainedall told, it was a perfect situation for catching some smallmouth bass. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Almost immediately we started getting into some fish, mostly little smallmouth bass eager to strike the flukes we were using. Originally this trip was supposed to be on Crane Creek. 36.2 Jamesville Btidge. 25.2 Wilson Creek on right. Even the bigger fish were active, striking sometimes as soon as the bait hit the water. Did not stop much due to ample current and flow. The float level today was on the lower end of "good" and that is what is has been for about a month. The river has a few more logs down in the middle and under the bridge after the last flood event. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. 65 Bridge. We finally pushed off, sometime close to 7:00 and started fishing right away. In addition, we brought a few decent spotted bass to the boat. Ryan guided me to a root wad to lean my kayak against so that I could cast into a specific break in the current. Low Water on the St Croix River on the Fly, Fly Fishing Instruction; 3 Wt for Smallmouth Here in NW Wisconsin. I caught my personal best smallmouth at just over 15" and Josh caught a 3lb spotted bass near Galena. Supplies in town. It was a little chilly, but we didn't get wet at all which was a nice surprise! And well admit, there was a while in the 1990s when you probably did not want to be floating on the James; however, thanks to the work of the James River Basin Partnerships effort to clean up the river, the James has once again become a river worthy of floating. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in. Off Hwy. 14 Bridge Access. It's common knowlege cloud cover is an angler's best friend. We grabbed breakfast on the go and drove off toward the river access through a very dense fog. Chapter 537 RSMO revised to 537.327. Join for free today to access the capability once available. The weather was great (despite a very brief thundershower) and the water was flowing nicely. 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. Early evening solo float. On the river by 0730 with cloudy skies until 1300, then sunny and hot until we were off at 1630. and susceptible to feeding meaning an opportunity for you to nab a catch. River was crystal clear and banks of the river was pristine. The weather was beautiful. Check out the best float trips in Missouri. from a southerly direction which means fishing is average. It was the first overnight river trip for Julian. Suckers of all types, all 3 black bass species, channel catfish, carp, crappie, sculpin, shad and minnows of all types were present. We brought our own kayaks to float the river and was charged $25 l to transport them up the river, then we floated down. Immediately I had a fish on and Ryan was there with the net so I wouldnt blow this one. No ramp, but easy canoe/kayak access. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. True to form, I managed to lose the largest fish of the day on Saturday as well when a 20 rainbow broke me off when I tried to force her in. Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. Fast run just below. For example: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Here's your fishing report for today the 18th of April for James River. Another couple taking out at Kerr said their canoe dragged along in several places. When stocked in this order and properly managed, these species provide great fishing and good eating. The stretch from the golf course to Nelson Mill Road was very favorable for fishing, with some quality bass. 46.3 Goff Creek on left. Anyone interested in fishing James River or waters within the wider area around Branson should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Due to the moon conditions night brightness levels are at 6%. Venku is an online marketplace connecting hosts with outdoor enthusiasts in search of unique outdoor opportunities. The spring has a flow of nearly 2 million gallons per day, is used to supply a private trout hatchery and is one of the largest springs in this river drainage.39.4Silvet Lake Branch on right.39.7Hooten Town Access on right, on Hotten Town Road.40.8Hooten Hill, on right (high bluff).42.6Watch for down trees in river along right bank.