Turner Mill North River Access

River and Stream Fishing

Fishing the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River is a very popular recreation activity on the Mark Twain National Forest.

The river sees a variety of users and is shared by canoes and boats, swimmers, trappers, and anglers. Please use caution and courtesy when encountering another user.

Be aware that 25 horsepower is the maximum boat motor size allowed on the Eleven Point River from Thomasville to "the Narrows" at Missouri State Highway 142.

The Varied Waters

Different fish live in different parts of the river depending upon the water temperature and available habitat.

1. The upper river, from Thomasville to the Greer Spring Branch, is good for smallmouth bass, longear sunfish, bluegill, goggle-eye (rock bass), suckers, and a few largemouth bass. This area of the river is warmer and its flow decreases during the summer.
2. The river and fish communities change where Greer Spring Branch enters the river. The spring more than doubles the volume of the river, adding millions of gallons of clear, cold spring water each day. This cold water makes it possible for Rainbow Trout to do well in this part of the river. Five and one-half (5-1/2) miles of river between the Greer Spring Branch and Turner Mill South Access is a Blue Ribbon Trout Area (BRTA).
3. From Turner Mill to Riverton the water stays cold and is managed as a White Ribbon Trout Area (WRTA). Twelve inch (average) trout are stocked in the WRTA by the Missouri Department of Conservation from March to October. From Greer to the Arkansas state line you will also find numerous smallmouth bass, goggle-eye, suckers, longear sunfish, chain pickerel (pike) and an occasional walleye.

Baits and Tackle

Fish in the Eleven Point River are caught with a wide variety of tackle and with various baits. Worms, salmon eggs, cheese, canned corn, plugs, soft plastic lures, hard lures, grasshoppers, and artificial flies have all been used for fishing. Other types of live bait may be used for fishing.

When using live bait, special rules, limits, and capture methods also apply. Game fish or their parts may not be used as bait. In the BRTA, only flies and artificial lures may be used. Natural bait, scented bait, and soft plastic cannot be used in this area. Fish gigging is also prohibited in the BRTA.

Gigging

Gigging for fish is a time honored activity in the Ozarks that dates back to a time when good fishing equipment was not available. Hand made gigs for fishing are still made today. Suckers are the fish most often gigged. Gigging has certain seasons and limits. Some areas are also closed to gigging year round. Consult the latest copy of the Wildlife Code of Missouri if you wish to try your hand with this specialized type of fishing

Rules and Regulations

To protect and manage Missouri's fine fish populations, rules and regulations (the Wildlife Code of Missouri) have been enacted to insure that future generations will be able to enjoy the outdoor world. However, be aware that regulations may change each year. To prevent illegal fishing practices and possible citations, review and study the latest fish and game regulations published by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

A printable version of the fishing information for the Eleven Point River is available to download (pdf)

MDOC Special Waterbody Regulations for the Eleven Point River (html)

MDOC Fishing Prospects for the Eleven Point River (html)

Day Hiking

You can take a very short hike and see Turner Spring and the old Turner Mill. The Spring was used to power the old Turner Mill, a 25ft metal wheel. It is no longer in use but still stands.

Interpretive Areas

There are two interpretive signs at this site that talk about the history of the area and the former mill.

Picnicking

There are grills and picnic tables available for picnicking while exploring the old wheel.

Boating - Motorized

The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. 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, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.

The river has been designated for both motorized and non-motorized use. The motorized users must adhere to a 25 horsepower limit.

Boating - Non-Motorized

The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. 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, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.

The river has been designated for both motorized and non-motorized use.

Miles are starting from Thomasville and are as the river flows:

21.5 Mi. from Thomasville is Turner Mill Access on the left or north is a day use picnic area with a boat launch. It was the site of a community that contained a general store, post office, school, Turner’s Mill, several houses and a population of almost 50. The mill operated from 1850’s to the early 20th century. Turner Mill South on the right is a major landing/launch area.

22.3 Mi. Stinking Pond Float Camp on the left near a 20-foot bluff.

24.2 Mi. McDowell Primitive Access to the left. Just past this access the river makes a sharp bend around a narrow bluff line, forming a horseshoe bend, giving the area its name. This entrenched river meande4r kept getting deeper as the 0zark uplifted and the valleys eroded deeper.

25.5 Mi. Horseshoe Bend Float Camp on the left.

26.3 Mi. Barn Hollow Float Camp is on the left

27.0 Bliss Spring inlet enters on the left. The spring is about ¼ mile from the river. A loop of Whites Creek Trail passes near the river at this location.

27.6 Whitten Access.