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There is no question that the Current River is the most diverse stream in Missouri. It starts out as a Spring Creek-style trout stream and slowly morphs into one of the best smallmouth bass streams in the country. 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 the classic trout water. The river begins where Montauk Spring rises in the bed of Pigeon Creek. For three miles below this point, the creek fills once a day with rainbow trout from March 1 through October 31. The upper portion of this stretch that flows through Montauk State Park is managed for flies only. Artificial lures, such as marabou jigs and single-hook cocktail spinners caught 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 catch and release with flies only. Down below, all baits are allowed until it reaches the Current River, and fish can be kept. This area is also stocked daily.
Below Montauk State Park for nine miles, the river is managed for trophy rainbow and brown trout. The trout population varies from year to year, but you can count on 250 to 700 trout per mile, which is a respectable number. Most are brown, but there are also quite a few rainbows, including several wild trout. This is a great area to float, 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 too high. Only artificial flies and lures are allowed, and there is a restrictive length limit.
The eight miles between Cedar Grove and Akers Ferry are managed as a for-sale trout fishery. It is very populated with 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 that is the only time trout are stocked. Below Welch Spring to Akers Ferry the water is significantly cooler and trout are stocked throughout the summer. The best fishing is generally near the mouth of Welch Spring, where trout are widely stocked. Below Akers Ferry, there are pockets of trout as far as Pulltite Spring seven miles downstream, but numbers drop off significantly the further down Akers Ferry you get.
Between Akers Ferry and Round Spring, the fishing is spotty for both bass and trout. There are decent numbers of rainbow trout in the upper half and decent numbers of bass in the lower half, but fishing will be marginal. Smallmouth Bass fishing begins in earnest at the mouth of Round Spring. Between here and Doniphan, Missouri, are some of the best smallmouth waters in the state. Fish in the one to three pound range abound, and larger fish are not rare 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 walleye of the Ozark strain abound. The next world record could come from the Current River. Jigging, trolling, and live bait fishing are popular for catching these large walleye.
All Missouri anglers should try fishing the beautiful Current River. Its crystal clear waters are home to some of the best fishing to be found in the United States. Whether you like smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, or just a big bluegill or sucker stringer, this is a great place to go.