Current River

River Map

About Current River

Missouri's crown jewel — a spring-fed Ozark National Scenic Riverways stream with wild brown and rainbow trout. Crystal-clear water, gravel runs, and deep pools, with remarkably consistent flows thanks to massive spring inputs including Big Spring (one of the largest single-orifice springs in the United States, dumping ~458 CFS directly into the river). Year-round trout fishing; MDC stocks heavily through winter. The stretch from Akers downstream to Van Buren is the heart of the fishery. Below 500 CFS the Current is crystal, slow, and technical; above 2,000 it begins to color; above 4,000 it's blown out.

Regulations

Missouri fishing license + trout permit required (resident $12 license + ~$10 trout permit). The Current River at Montauk State Park is one of Missouri's four Trout Parks — fee-access, artificial-only on certain stretches, 4-trout daily limit (verify current park-specific rules). Outside Montauk, the Current operates under standard Missouri trout regulations on the ONSR reaches. 2026–27 regulation cycle. Verify at mdc.mo.gov.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Current River with more confidence.

• Missouri Trout Fishing Regulations Guide

  Missouri fishing license (~$12/year resident) plus required trout permit (~$10/year resident), the four MDC Trout Parks (Bennett Spring, Montauk,…

• Trout Species of Missouri

  Missouri's coldwater fishery is built on the Ozark Plateau's massive spring systems and the unique Missouri Trout Parks. Rainbow Trout dominate the…

• How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)

  That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…