Bass fishing on Missouri's streams and small bodies of water offers a change of pace from Missouri's large reservoirs. Photo by Dian Cooper.

"There aren't many good river bass fishermen left," my observant friend Bob Todd once remarked to me. "Bass fishermen simply want to move too fast anymore. Most have gone the way of the big-lake bass tournaments . . . Race to the hotspots and hurry to the weigh-in. Where's the fun of fishing?" And that comment was made 20 years ago.

It's true: Fishing smaller waters seems be becoming something of a lost art, nudged to the sidelines by the drama surrounding big-lake bass fishing, which has grown phenomenally in the past three decades -- not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, those of us who prefer to chase largemouths on the Show-Me State's rivers and smaller bodies of water have benefited from the exodus of fishermen to the larger reservoirs. Missouri abounds with streams and small lakes that put the opportunity to fish for old bucketmouths practically at the back door of every willing angler in the state.

SEVEN ISLAND CA
The 1,381 acres of Seven Island Conservation Area lie near East Prairie. Head east of that community on state Route 80, south on state Route 102, and then east again on state Route A. A concrete boat ramp is there.

Surrounded by cottonwoods and willows, the chute bordering the CA gives fishermen a taste of Southern-style bassin'. Lots of cover and stained water add to the appeal of these waters. Shad and about anything that swims in the Mississippi River form a solid forage base for these types of chutes.

Spring is the time to fish this chute, when high waters from the Mississippi replenish both the water and the fish population. Numerous large bass come from the chute each spring, but by summer, the water can be very shallow. Anglers need to be aware that the chute connects to the Mississippi at both ends and the land between the chute and the river lies in Kentucky.

WOLF ISLAND CA
This 277-acre CA is all that remains of an old blue hole at which the levee broke during the great flood of the late 1930s. Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries biologist Mark Boone indicated that bass fishermen can enjoy flippin' to the knees of the large cypress trees that stand in the water here.

Wolf Bayou is in northeast Pemiscot County. Take the Wardell exit off Interstate 55 and head east on the outer road; then, take state Route BB over the levee to the end of the road. A concrete boat ramp is available.