Meramec, Bourbeuse and Big River Fishing.
Sport Fish of the Big, Bourbeuse, and Meramec Rivers
Real Time Fishing Forecast Engine
MDC 2010 FISHING PROSPECTS
Courtois Creek: Sampling in fall 2009 on sections of Courtois Cr. indicated that 2010 should be a good year for smallmouth bass and rock bass fishing. Smallmouth bass were abundant, and made up the majority of all black bass sampled (97\%); largemouth are rare but when present, were of good sizes. About 1/4 of all smallmouth bass sampled were over 12" in length, and 3\% were also over 15" in length. Few smallmouth over 18" were seen. Goggle-eye were abundant, and many fish were at or near the 8" minimum length limit. One third of all goggle-eye sampled were more than 7" long, and about 3\% were greater than 8" long. Sunfish, like longear and bluegill, were also seen in good numbers and larger individuals can put up a good fight at the end of your line. Cover, like rootwads, downed trees, overhanging branches, and boulders, seems to concentrate fish, and provides the best places to try and catch them.
Huzzah Creek: Sampling on Huzzah Creek in the fall of 2009 indicated that 2010 should be a good year for bass fishing. Black bass should be abundant, with smallmouth bass making up the majority (86\%) followed by largemouth bass (14\%). Spotted bass are rare in the Huzzah. Smallmouth bass sizes are fair and should provide great catch and release opportunities, with 14\% of fish sampled >12" in length, and 2\% >15" in length. Largemouth bass will provide the greatest chance for catching a large fish, with almost 50\% of fish sampled being >12" in length, and 14\% also greater than 15" in length. Several largemouth >18" were sampled as well. Largemouth bass are most common in the downstream sections of stream, while bass in the upper sections were almost exclusively smallmouth. Goggle-eye sampling showed good numbers and sizes of fish, which should provide excellent fishing opportunities. Almost half of all goggle-eye sampled were >7", with 6\% of fish sampled being over 8". As with most Ozark streams, most fish linger around structures such as rootwads, downed trees, and boulders, and can be caught with a variety of tackle.
Meramec River (upper): Goggle-eye anglers can expect to encounter a larger number of legal fish in 2010, although many will remain under the 8" length limit. The 2009 fall sampling showed that over 5\% of all goggle-eye sampled were greater than 8" in length, which almost doubled the number of legal fish seen in 2008. In addition, 25\% of goggle-eye captured in 2009 were greater than 7" in length, indicating that in the next few years, the number of legal fish will continue to increase. Black bass anglers can expect to see similar numbers and sizes of fish as in years past. High and cloudy water conditions over the last couple of years has hampered some anglers' success rates, but has provided ample food sources for fish, so when you finally get one to bite, it will probably be pretty heavy. Sampling on the Meramec in both Crawford and Franklin counties showed that black bass numbers and sizes are similar to or better than those from the last several years. Almost 35\% of the smallmouth bass sampled exceeded the 12" length limit and 1 in 10 were greater than 15" in length. Forty percent of largemouth bass sampled were over the 12" length limit and 9\% were greater than 15" in length. Several largemouth and smallmouth greater than 18" in length were also sampled, providing opportunities to catch large fish outside of the special management area. Spotted bass numbers in Franklin Co are similar to past years, with about 1 in 10 fish being greater than 12". Redhorse Access, River Round Conservation Area, Choteau Claim Access, and Robertsville State Park all provide good access to the Meramec in the area where spotted bass are most prevalent. Opportunities to catch catfish are best in those areas as well, with several large channel catfish and flathead catfish greater than 20" being sampled in 2009.
Meramec River - Red Ribbon Area (Hwy 8 to Scott's Fd): Sampling in fall 2009 showed that brown and rainbow trout numbers are similar to recent years, although the total trout population is lower than it has been historically. Brown trout make up the slight majority of fish sampled, although rainbow trout were also present in good numbers. Many anglers report encountering more rainbows than browns, which can be attributed to rainbows generally being easier to catch. The majority (60\%) of trout sampled were brown trout <11" in length, while browns and rainbows in the 11" to 15" size range made up another third of the population. Only 5\% of trout sampled were of legal size (>15"). So for 2010, the good news is that there a decent number of sub-legal fish that will provide catch and release fishing opportunities. The downside is that the chances of encountering a truly large fish will be less than in the years past. The decrease in numbers of legal brown trout is attributed mostly to low stocked brown trout survival over the last several years. Years of extreme drought followed by extreme floods have reduced survival past what was expected. Future production numbers look hopeful that brown trout numbers will increase in coming years. Trout numbers are typically greatest in the 3 miles of stream below the Maramec Spring confluence. Anglers can also expect to encounter good numbers of smallmouth bass and rock bass in this area, around the numerous rootwads, downed trees, and bluff faces.
Big River: Smallmouth bass fishing will be good in 2010 as fish from the 2003-05 spawns continue to grow. Over thirty percent of the population continue to be over 12", and the percentage of smallmouth above 15" is well above the 15-year average. Most smallmouth are caught near rock slides or logs in current near deeper water. Largemouth bass fishing should also be good with 60\% of the fish being over 12". Fish up to 20" are present in slack water near logs or backwaters where topwater lures, jigs and spinner baits can be effective. Spotted bass fishing should be very good. Few spotted bass over 12" exist; however, numbers remain high below Highway 21 near Washington State Park. Anglers are encouraged to harvest all the spotted bass they catch, regardless of size, up to the daily limit of 12. Goggle-eye should provide good spring fishing in 2010. Goggle-eye numbers have continued their recent improvement, with over 50\% of the population larger than 7", and some up to 9". Fish the numerous downed trees, brush piles and stable root wads with jigs and minnows to score on spring goggle-eye. Good numbers of channel catfish were also seen in 2009 surveys. The majority of fish were in the 16- to 20-inch range.
Big River: 78 degrees, low, dingy; catfish good on worms and liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 9/2/2010)
Bourbeuse (middle, lower, Franklin Co.): 81 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish slow on blood baits and cut bait; black bass slow on minnows and plastic baits; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 9/2/2010)
Meramec (above Sullivan, Crawford Co.): 74 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on bluegill and natural bait; black bass good on minnows and plastic lures; bluegill good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 9/2/2010)
Meramec (below Eureka): 74 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish good on worms and natural baits; crappie fair on jugs; black bass slow on crankbaits; bluegill good on worms; carp good on doughbait; all other species fair. (Report made on 9/2/2010)
