Jacks Fork River

The Jacks Fork River contains one of Missouri’s smallmouth bass special management areas which extends from Buck Hollow (Hwy 17) access to the confluence with the Current River (38 miles). The minimum length limit is 15 inches, and you can only harvest one smallmouth bass per day. Most of this stream is within the boundaries of the National Park Service’s Ozark National Scenic Riverways. These two characteristics provide for a unique and attractive smallmouth bass angling experience. Recent samples indicate good smallmouth action for 2024. Few fish were observed over 18 inches, but smallmouth bass densities were ok, and anglers will enjoy catching and releasing fish over 8” up to the harvest size. Smallmouth bass fishing should be focused along rock ledges and boulders in bluff pools. A seven-inch minimum length limit regulation was put in place for goggle-eye on the entire Jacks Fork River in 2017 and fishing for these tasty fish should be concentrated near larger rocks along bluffs and in the edge of beds of vegetation. The best opportunities should be between Buck Hollow and Rymers accesses. In mid to late summer, water levels are traditionally lower from Buck Hollow to Bay Creek accesses, providing more challenging float trips. For detailed information on access, campsites, and river miles, contact the National Park Service in Van Buren at 573-323-4236.