Top Fishing Spots Around Missouri

Missouri is the birthplace of musical genres like Kansas City Jazz, St. Louis Blues, Mark Twain, oversized objects like a 12-foot pecan and a 42-foot rocking chair, and Kansas-style barbeque. But did you know Missouri is also famous for another thing ––fishing? Anglers of all ages and skills flock to Missouri during the spring to catch Trout, Walleye, Bass, Crappie, and Mudfish at some of the best fishing spots in Missouri. 

There are chock-full of fishing spots in Missouri, and the best way to explore it is through an RV. It’s safe, economical, and has all the amenities of a home. We’ll explore a few of the best fishing spots Missouri has to offer and some recommended camping sites near these fishing spots. Let’s go fishing!

The Best Time to Fish In Missouri and the Ozarks

Missouri offers excellent fishing all year round, but the best time to fish is spring because this is when the fish spawn. Most places require you to tag the fish you catch, and you’ll need to follow regulations on how many fish you can catch. So make sure you do your research before you go!

Best Fishing Spots in Missouri and the Ozarks

From mild and relaxing springs to the challenging murky waters of a mighty river, here are some of the best fishing spots in Missouri and the Ozarks.

1. Catch Some Trout At Bennett Springs, Lebanon

The clear, cool water of Bennett Springs inside Bennett Springs National Park is the perfect place to relax, refresh, and fish for trout. Located on Highway 64A, Lebanon, MO, the spring produces more than 100 million gallons of fresh water daily, forming a spring branch stocked daily with Rainbow trout during the fishing season ( March 1-October 31). You can easily reach the spring branch through three specially constructed piers.

You’ll need trout tags to fish in Bennett springs, which you can find at the park’s store. The store also offers fly fishing lessons if you need them. The park also has fishing regulations and daily timetables on when you can start fishing. You’re expected to follow these regulations while fishing at Bennett Springs.

RV Parks around Bennett Springs

If you’re going fishing in an RV in Bennett Springs, here are some top-rated RV parks in and around Bennett Springs for you to choose from:

• Bennett Springs National Park. You don’t need to go far to look for an RV Park. Bennett Springs National Parkhas five campgrounds nestled in the park’s woodlands. Each campground offers different types of electricity and water options, and you can make a reservation online or by phone 12 months in advance.
• Hidden Valley Outfitters. Hidden Valley Outfitters RV Parkis located in the Niangua River, next to Bennetts Spring National Park. They offer sewage and electrical hookups ( 50 and 30 amp) and 40 feet concrete pads at each site. You can make a reservation online.

2. Lake of the Ozarks Is A Mecca For Fishing Enthusiasts

Located in south-central Missouri, 42 miles southwest of Jefferson City, and right at the scenic Ozark Mountains is the Lake of the Ozarks, one of Missouri’s most famous fishing destinations. This artificial lake almost looks like a dragon from an airplane, which gave it the nickname “Magic Dragon,” the name of many establishments peppering the lake.

Expect to catch Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, and Catfish. Fishing is all year round, but Spring ( May to June) is the best time to catch bass. Most of the lake area is privately owned, but there are six Missouri Department of Conservation Public public access areas where you can fish, but be mindful of the park rules for fishing.

RV Parks in and around Lake of the Ozarks

One of the best ways to go fish at the Lake of the Ozarks is to bring an RV with you, and if you do bring an RV, here are some popular RV parks in and around Lake of the Ozarks.

• Osage Beach RV Park. Located at Osage Beach, Missouri Osage Beach RV Park offers 75 RV sites with full hookups and free wifi. You can fill out a reservation form if you are interested in staying here. 
• Lake of the Ozark State Park. You don’t need to go far from Lake of the Ozarks to camp. Park your RV in any four RV camping sites with free wifi at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. You can make reservations online up to 12 months in advance.

3. Current River, Montauk State Park For Fishing And Canoeing

You can find Montauk State Park in Dent County, Missouri, and you can reach it either from the east or the west. Although Mark Twain famously described it as found “in the wilds of Missouri,” there is plenty of signage for you to find it when you take the I-44. The Current River is located in the Ozark valley and is teeming with beavers, deer, and birds like the bald eagles. The river is also famous for Rainbow and Brown Trout, and anglers from all over the USA flock to the river when the season starts.

Trout season starts on March 1 and ends on October 31, and there’s a catch and release program after the season. This schedule means there is fishing fun throughout the year. You’ll need a state fishing license permit except for those 15 years or younger or Missouri residents 65 years or older. You’ll also need trout tags which you can buy from the shop in the park. 

RV Parks in and around Current River

• Montauk State Park. Park your RV inside Montauk State Parkto get the best fishing spot to catch the trouts. Montauk State Park has four camping sites equipped with basic electric (50 amp) plug-ins and frost-free water spigots. Wifi is available on some sites. You can make online reservations up to 12 months in advance.
• Rocky River Resort Campground and RV Park. The Rocky River Resortis located where the Current River flows in Doniphan. It has over 50 available RV posts. Contact the campsite directly by phone for reservations.

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4. The Muddy Mississippi River, Missouri Is A Challenge For Any Angler

People call the  Mississippi River many names: The Old Blue, The Big Muddy, and Father of the Waters, to name a few. The river passes through ten states and has more fishing spots than any other river. It’s notorious for having a fickle temper, and if you’re a seasoned freshwater fisherman, the river is something you’ll want to conquer.

You can find Walleye, Bass, and Crappie in the River. But Missouri is the favorite place to catch the iconic Mississippi River Catfish. Suppose you want to catch Catfish, then you may want to fish the River near Sulfur Springs, where Blue Flathead and Channel Catfish are abundant in this area. If you wish to make a brag-worthy catch, you’ll want to catch Catfish from late May to September when the water is warmer.

RV Parks in the Mississippi River, Missouri

You can bring your RV to a few places while you challenge yourself to fish in the river. Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Trail of Tears State Park. The Mississippi River Campground in the Trail of Tears State Parkis right in the Mississippi River and also offers a great place to fish in the river. It provides electric, water, and sewage hookups. 
• Mark Twain Cave Complex. The Mark Twain Cave Complex and RV Parkhas 100 spots available and offers electricity, water, and sewage hookups. There’s wifi and a fire ring as well. You can reserve a post online.

5. Explore The 573 Acre Forest Lake, In Thousand Hills State Park

The cool, clear water of Forest lakeis the centerpiece of Thousand Hills State Park, and it’s also a great place to fish. This 573-acre Forest Lake is full of Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Channel Catfish. There’s a fishing dock as well as a fish cleaning station if you need one. There are park rules you need to follow when it comes to the size and daily limit of fish you can catch.

RV Parks in and around Forest Lake

• Thousand Hills State Park. Thousand Hills State Park has two campgrounds. These campgrounds offer a combined 50 posts for RVs. It offers basic electric (50 amps) hookups, and wifi is available at certain parts of the campground. You can make reservations online up to 12 months in advance.

PS – Explore, relax, and fish your way through Missouri in an RV Rental

Fishing can be as relaxing or challenging as you want it to be. If you wish to go to one fishing spot in Missouri or you want to explore a few, an RV is a great way to experience these places. Rent an RV through RVnGO and be assured of the best prices and the best choices for an RV.

Not sure what to rent? Read this article on choosing between a Class A or a Class C. Or learn more about choosing between a 5th wheel and a travel trailer, or reach out to us with any questions you may have. To learn more about how to rent an RV, check out your options at RVnGO. 

For more helpful tips, be sure to read our Road Trip Packing Check List and Great Meals For Road Trips. You may also find this Top 10 RV Safety Tips for Newbies helpful.

The average Guest saves 30% when renting through RVnGO. Read more about them in the article – Who Is RVnGO?