WILD TROUT STREAMS
Missouri's Blue Ribbon trout waters also include a group of small spring branches scattered throughout the Ozarks supporting wild rainbow trout. In some streams, the populations trace their ancestry back to those first trout stocked in Missouri in the 1880s. All small streams, all are accessible by wading, and are best fished using a fly rod or an ultrahigh spinning rod. During spring and summer, I usually wade wet, or use hip boots. I'm going to advise you to fish Little Piney River, Mill Creek, and Crane Creek.

Little Piney River
Little Piney River is Missouri's newest and longest wild trout fishery. It supports an excellent trout population from USFS Lane Spring Campground downstream to the MDC's access, all within the Mark Twain National Forest. Access the fishery off Highway 63 south of Rolla or from Highway T south of Newburg.

The 18-inch length limit protects most trout in the stream, while still allowing anglers to take home that occasional trophy fish. This trout stream provides anglers with excellent fishing for small rainbows up to about 15 inches, while still supporting a few larger individuals exceeding 18 inches.

Mill Creek
Mill Creek is just west of Rolla and south of Newburg off Highway P. I've had the pleasure of fishing this wonderful little creek since the early '70s, long before it was managed as a wild rainbow trout fishery.

The last five years or so have been hard on this intimate little trout stream. It has experienced low water flows during Missouri's drought, which reduced the rainbow population -- but it's still fun to fish. Just don't expect to catch any large trout. Fish up or downstream from the U.S. Forest Service campground or access the creek at Wilkins Spring at the upper end of the spring branch. Remember that some sections are privately owned and not open to public fishing.

For more information about the Little Piney River and Mill Creek, write: MDC, P.O. Box 248, 375 S. Highway 185, Sullivan, MO 63080; or call (573) 468-3335.

Crane Creek
Crane Creek lies in southwest Missouri, near Crane in Stone County off Highway 13. You can access the creek from Crane's city park, and from the Wire Road Conservation Area upstream and downstream from Crane.

First stocked in 1880, it has supported wild rainbows for more than 126 years, but like Mill Creek, it has experienced water-flow problems from the drought. It still supports trout, though, and as water flows increase, the population will improve; the best trout fishing today, however, is downstream from Crane.

For more information about Crane Creek, write: MDC, 2630 N. Mayfair, Springfield MO 65801; or call (417) 895-6880. And for a complete list of Missouri's Blue Ribbon trout areas and access information write: MDC, Fisheries, Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102; or call (573) 751-4115.

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I've touched on only the best of the best trout streams here in Missouri. The state manages more spring branches under the both the Blue Ribbon and the Red Ribbon management options. All provide wonderful trout fishing opportunities, and with less fishing pressure than is felt by Missouri's trout parks. Although the Show Me State can't match up with those northern or Western states that have hundreds of miles of trout water, the skillful deployment of a wide array of management options has enabled Missouri streams to provide outstanding trout fishing for those anglers willing to fish outside our trout parks. Check them out this year; you'll be pleasantly surprised.