Fishing Missouri's Smaller Streams & Creeks

Matt, I have the same desire as you, to explore the smaller streams and creeks. Thanks to Bill Byington, he shared his experience by taking me to Mill Creek and Little Piney for my first time about a month again. What a fun trip! The fishing on the smaller streams and creeks are usually better after some rain. The fishing is very technical with skinny water. You have to be very stealth like. The expectations should be realistic when fishing the smaller streams that majority of the fish will be about 3 inch to 8 inch. Not saying there isn’t any larger fish but the 12 inch or greater are there but difficult to catch. The fish are small but are wild and in my opinion fight harder then the stockers.

Mill Creek: This creek has 2 access points, that can be easily found with the MDC maps. Either location gives you easy access to the creek. Again, Mill Creek is very skinny water best after some rain.

Little Piney: We gained access at Lane Spring Recreation Area. It has a self pay parking lot (I think $3) to gain easy access to the Little Piney. If you go to this access point check before going because I think they close the access from October to March. Nice little stream with a lot of ripples and runs with a lot of pocket water. Again, very technical but, a better chance of catching a larger fish.
Hope this is helpful! Happy Thanksgiving.

Fishing the little creeks is a great way to sharpen your skills and get away from the large crowds at the parks. Right now the creeks are shallow and very clear but if we can get a little rain to raise and color the water get there as soon as possible. Those trout will really turn on.

Bill