Riverton West River Access

Picnicking - Single

Picnicking - Single Info

There are 5 picnic tables with pedestal grills, trash receptacles, and a vault toilet

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

Boating - MotorizedBoating - Non-Motorized

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. The motorized users must adhere to a 25 horsepower limit.

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.

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

35.6 Mi. from Thomasville is Riverton Access on the left, just above Highway 160 bridge is a major landing/launch area. Below the Hwy. 160 bridge is Riverton East Day Use Area. Picnicking and swimming are popular here. This area also has facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

38.4 Mi. Piney Creek enters from the left.

39.9 Mi. Hurricane Creek enters from the left.

43.0 Mi. Frederick Creek enters from the right. This creek forms the west side of the Narrows, a narrow ridge of land that separates it from the Eleven Point River.

43.3 Mi. Morgan Spring Float Camp on the right, just past the spring branch inlet from Morgan Spring. Old Thompson Mill Spring was the original name for this beautiful spring back in the days when a small grist mill by that name stood nearby. Only the dam and sluice still remain. Foot paths lead from the float camp to Morgan, Sullivan, Jones and Blue Springs.

44.0 Mi. The Spring Branch from Sullivan, Jones, and Blue Springs enters the river from the right. These springs are nestled against the steep bluff of the Narrows. An overlook at the top of the bluff can be reached by foot trail. At the overlook, the ridge between the Eleven Point and Frederick Creek is about 30 feet wide.

44.3 Mi. The 142 (Narrows) Access is on the left just above Highway 142 bridge. This access is the last on the southern end of the Eleven Point National Scenic River Area. The Scenic River Area ends at the bridge, but the river continues south into Arkansas. Myrtle Access, managed by the State of Missouri, is located approximately 4.0 miles downstream near the state line.