Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Oct to May
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Lower Current River Fishing Guide
Missouri
The Current River from Van Buren to the Arkansas line, 51 miles of big water in Carter and Ripley counties with smallmouth bass and walleye, whose best population is above and below Doniphan.
Part of the Current River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Lower Current River for smallmouth bass and walleye. In November, walleye is prime, and Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Blade Bait are a good place to start.
There are 3 shops nearby, including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Poplar Bluff.
Season at a Glance
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Smallmouth Bass
Walleye
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: MDCSpawning: MDC: Smallmouth Bass; Walleye
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Missouri fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the Current River
- Main PageCurrent RiverAn Ozark river with trout in the upper river below Montauk State Park, smallmouth bass in the middle river, and walleye in the lower river near Doniphan.
- Rivers & Streams · MissouriUpper Current RiverThe Current River from Montauk State Park to Akers Ferry, 19 miles in Dent and Shannon counties, with a stretch managed for large brown trout below Montauk and a White Ribbon area stocked with rainbow trout down to Akers Ferry.
- Rivers & Streams · MissouriMiddle Current RiverThe Current River from Akers Ferry to Van Buren, 70 miles through Shannon and Carter counties with clear water and great smallmouth bass fishing, and chain pickerel in the slow pools and backwaters.
- Rivers & Streams · Missouri · You're HereLower Current RiverThe Current River from Van Buren to the Arkansas line, 51 miles of big water in Carter and Ripley counties with smallmouth bass and walleye, whose best population is above and below Doniphan.
Lower Current River Species
Species per MDC.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Walleye
Prime Now · Nov to Feb
No fly setup listed for walleye; see Spin / Cast.
Spin / Cast
7 to 8 ft medium casting rod and line-counter reel for trolling crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers and deep crankbaits, 10 to 12 lb line. For jigging, a 6.5 ft medium-light rod with 10 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod · 7 ft 6 in or 8 ft 6 in, medium, moderate, 10 to 20 lb line (telescopic)Check Price
- ReelOkuma Magda Pro Line Counter Reel · size 20, right handCheck Price
- LineSeaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon · 6LB or 8LB (leader)Check Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/8 to 3/8 ozJig and Minnow · Northland Fire-Ball JigCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitAfter dark.Check Price
- Lure for November · 4 to 7 inPaddle-Tail SwimbaitSee Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Lower Current River:
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Poplar BluffWebsite
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, JonesboroWebsite
Map of Lower Current River
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Walleye
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
59°F high, 35°F low
About 4.9 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,781 cfs
Most years 1,186 cfs to 4,532 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 1 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 07068000, 1921 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Mar to May, Nov to Dec
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Jan
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Jan
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Lower Current River
Farther Out