Cane Bluff River Access

Viewing Scenery

Viewing Scenery Info

Along the 44-mile stretch of designated Wild and Scenic River, 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.

Boating - Non-MotorizedBoating - Motorized

Boating - Non-Motorized Info

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 - Motorized Info

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:

9.3 Mi. from Thomasville, Cane Bluff Access and Picnic Area is the first public access point down river from Thomasville. The towering 250 foot Cane Bluff is directly across the river from the access area. Upstream 100 feet, a rock slide occurred in 1991, knocking down trees and scaring the bluff to the river’s edge.

11.7 Mi. Spring Creek enters from the left.

12.0 Mi. Minich Spring flows in from the right bank. Some of the water from McCormack Lake travels beneath the Eleven Point to resurge in Minich Spring.

13.7 Mi. Long Hollow area to the right. A popular primitive area, it has a sandy beach and a nice swimming hole. Long Hollow is not a river access, but a primitive gravel road will get you close enough for a short walk to the river.

14.3 Mi. The Boom Hole. During the Ozark lumber rush between 1890 and 1910, virgin pine logs cut from the surrounding hilltops were chuted off the top of the bluff. The logs plunged into the river with a tremendous boom! They were floated to the log dam that once existed at Mary Decker Shoal, about 6 miles downstream. Also a primitive access.

14.8 Mi. McCormack Hollow enters from the left. About one mile up McCormack Hollow is McCormack Lake. 

16.0 Mi. Greer Spring Branch inlet on the right. Boats are prohibited within the spring branch. About one mile up the spring branch is Greer Spring, second largest spring in Missouri. Greer Spring once powered Greer Mill, (named after Samuel Greer). Greer Spring can be seen by walking a one mile long trail. The trailhead is on the west side of Missouri Highway 19, one mile south of the river bridge. The mill is on land reserved for the use by previous land owners and is not open to the public. The Wild Trout Management area, with special regulations in effect, begins here and goes 5-1/2 miles downstream to the Turner Mill Accesses.

16.4 Mi. Missouri State Highway 19 Bridge, site of the old Bellows Ford. At one time a sorghum mill operated close to the ford and farmers crossed the river to go to Greer Mill.

16.6 Mi. Greer Crossing is the Highway 19 River Access. On the left is the access point, a picnic area, campground and hiking trails.

Fishing - River/Stream

Fishing - River/Stream Info

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.

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

MDOC Fishing Prospects for the Eleven Point River (html)

Fishing Mode

Canoe, kayak, wading

Fish Species

Fish Species - Daily Limits - Minimum Size in inches

• Largemouth (Black Bass) 6* 12"
• Smallmouth (Black Bass) 1* 15”
• Sunfish (Longear and bluegill) 50 none
• Rock Bass (Goggle-eye) 15 8”
• Suckers 50** none
• Drum 50** none
• Walleye and Sauger 4 18”
• Chain Pickerel (Pike) 6 none
• Rainbow Trout (White Ribbon Trout Area) 4 none
• Rainbow Trout (in Blue Ribbon Trout Area) 1 18"

* you may take a total of 6 Black Bass daily, but only one may be a Smallmouth Bass ** the limits are 20 fish total while gigging

Water Temperature

30 - 65 Degrees

Fishing Method

Rod & /Reel, Flyfishing

Water/Flow Level

varies w/ rainfall