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Bourbeuse River Fishing

The Bourbeuse River that courses through Franklin County, Missouri is probably the most underrated smallmouth bass stream in Missouri, maybe even the Midwest. Trophy fish in the eighteen inch range are not at all uncommon, and smallmouth numbers are exceptional above Noser Mill. You'll find good numbers of smallies in the entire river, even as far downstream as Union. However, spotted bass and largemouth tend to out compete smallmouth below Noser Mill, which is located. about 40 miles upstream of Union. Below this point, spotted bass make up the lion's share of the catch, but smallmouth and largemouth can also be found. The most Smallmouth bass tend to be found in fast moving pools and riffles in this marginal habitat. Don't overlook the deep, slow, pools which are so common either. While they hold fewer bass, these are the places to find trophy largemouth and spotted bass. The river also holds plenty of catfish, except near the mouths of cold springs. Of course you also find rock bass, sunfish, and more suckers than you can count. The river has plenty of access, and bank fishing as well as float fishing are productive.