Fishing the Eleven Point River

The Eleven Point River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys and low-lying riparian ecosystems.

Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, Missouri, it gains considerable width and depth as it proceeds southeastward. Springs pouring from dolomite bluffs or rushing up from a vast network of underground flow systems provide a continuous source of water and beauty.

Alternating stretches of rapids and deep clear pools wind around moss-covered boulders and shading bottomland hardwood trees. River birch is abundant along the shore, and aged sycamores lean out across the river from their shoreline moorings. In some places, the canopy of green closes overhead.

About half of the lands within the Eleven Point Scenic River area are private lands, while the remainder of the area is National Forest System land. The private lands along the river are managed by scenic easements to assure protection of their scenic values and natural resources. Public entry of these lands is prohibited. River users should study the river map and be alert for private property or scenic easement signs located along the river course to avoid trespass.

Fishing: The Eleven Point's graveled path is an ideal spawning ground for smallmouth bass. While an occasional three- or four-pounder is taken, most will weigh from one to two pounds. Even so, the number of smallmouth bass in the river is phenomenal, and it's not unheard of to haul in a pair of smallmouth bass on a single crank-bait. When the water is clear, minnow-replica crank-baits on fairly light line are recommended. On those rare occasions when rains give the water some turbidity, large spinner-baits and crank-baits are also good producers.

One of the most overlooked fish species in Arkansas's cold-water streams is the channel catfish. While most people associate channel catfish with muddy, slow-moving waters, they actually prefer clear, gravel-bottomed streams. Channel catfish are abundant in the Eleven Point and will accept a variety of offerings including chicken liver and stinkbaits. The flathead catfish, another common Eleven Point sportfish, prefers live baits such as minnows and small sunfish. Anglers will also find good action for spotted bass and longear sunfish.

The Eleven Point offers fish a smorgasbord of aquatic foods such as crayfish, hellgrammites, leeches, salamanders, mayfly and stonefly nymphs, a variety of chubs, darters and small fish, worms, mussels and an occasional terrestrial insect washed in during a cloudburst. It goes without saying that fish use these foods on a day-to-day basis in this and other float streams, and a fresh, well-fished live bait offering is often more enticing than an artificial lure.