Upper Current River Fishing Guide

Missouri

The 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.

Part of the Current River.

Photo: Kbh3rd via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to the Upper Current River for rainbow trout and brown trout. No agency season found for the species here.

There are 2 shops nearby (1 fly, 1 bait and tackle), including White Buffalo Flyshop in Rolla.

Season at a Glance

No agency season found for these fish here.

Season Rules & Licenses

Upper river: Montauk State Park to Cedar Grove Bridge (9 mi) is a Blue Ribbon Trout Area, 1 trout a day, 18 inch minimum, flies and artificial lures only (no soft plastics or natural or scented baits). Cedar Grove to Akers Ferry (7.7 mi) is a White Ribbon Trout Area, 4 trout a day. MDC 2026
Porous-soled (felt) waders are prohibited on the Current River in Dent, Texas and Shannon counties. MDC 2026
National Park Service rule in Ozark National Scenic Riverways (36 CFR 2.3; compendium updated June 2026): live or dead minnows and other bait fish, amphibians and non-preserved fish eggs may not be used or possessed as bait (the park designates no waters where they are allowed); fishing is also prohibited in springs and spring branches. NPS 2026

Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.

Most anglers need a Missouri fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.

Buy a License from MDC MDC Fishing Regulations

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 · Missouri · You're HereUpper 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 · MissouriLower 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.

Upper Current River Species

Rainbow Trout

No agency season found.

View Species

Brown Trout

No agency season found.

View Species

Species per MDC.

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

What to Use

Fishing In

Fish

Rainbow Trout

No agency season found

Fly

9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price

Tie On in November

Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price

Spin / Cast

6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Rod, Reel and Line

Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price