Finding Public Fishing Access In Missouri

Missouri has some of the nation’s best fishing rivers and lakes within its borders. There are great fishing opportunities for almost any freshwater fish species you can think of. Both the Mississippi River and Missouri River are found on or within the borders of the state. Beside these enormous rivers, there are many other smaller rivers and streams. Some of these are also amongst the best in the nation, at least for certain species.

Rivers like the Current, Meramec, Eleven Point, and North Fork of the White are all found in the Ozarks and all carry nice populations of smallmouth bass and trout, at least in certain stretches. Rivers like the Osage are famous for their enormous catfish. There is also incredible diversity in the lakes and reservoirs of the Show-Me-State.

In lakes, both north and south in Missouri, there are many species of gamefish. Amongst these species are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, muskie, walleye, crappie, catfish (several types), sturgeon, walleye, and many more. Some of the lakes, especially some in the Ozarks region, are crystal clear. Waters in Bull Shoals for example, are so clear that fishermen must use lighter lines than elsewhere.

Accessing these waters generally speaking is not difficult. Rivers across Missouri are accessible via Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) accesses as well as United States Forest Service (USFS) land and National Park Service (NPS) access. This includes wilderness areas and National Wild and Scenic Riverways. Finding information on these accesses is quite easy by visiting the MDC website, the USFS, or the NPS. For the most part, with one major exception, the situation on the lakes and reservoirs in Missouri is just as good.

In addition to MDC, USFS, and NPS access to lakes, the Army Corps of Engineers also controls various lake area lands. The exception to this, and it’s a big one, is Lake of the Ozarks. Public access for fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks is famously difficult, at least for shore fishing. The surrounding shoreline is mostly privately owned, whereas most lakeshores are owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, or at least their rules apply.

Accessing river and stream areas can be a bit unclear. There is a constant tug of war in most states between private property rights and the rights of the public to access rivers and streams. You certainly should never cross private property without permission. Once you are on a river you usually are within your rights to travel within the riverbed. There are waters in Missouri where there are disputes over this. We will not delve into the legalities here, but your best bet is to stay in public access areas. There is no doubt there.

In Missouri residents are very fortunate to have the access to public fishing we do have. In many states, fishermen do not have it nearly as good. So enjoy these areas, and while there do all you can to keep them nice. Also, follow all regulations so that these publicly shared resources continue to be available for future generations.

By: Paul Marsh

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Paul Marsh is an outdoors writer, educator, and website owner of Family-Outdoors. More information at Missouri Public Access Fishing.