Bourbeuse River
Main Species Present: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass,
Channel Catfish, Sunfish, Suckerfish, and Rock Bass

The Bourbeuse River that courses through Franklin County in Missouri
is probably the most underrated smallmouth bass stream in Missouri,
maybe even the Midwest. Trophy fish in the eighteen inch range are not
at all uncommon, and smallmouth numbers are exceptionally high
upstream of Union. You’ll find good numbers of smallies in the entire
river, even near the mouth at the Meramec River. However, spotted bass
and largemouth tend to out compete smallmouth below Noser Mill, which
is located. few miles downstream of Union. Below this point, spotted
bass make up the lion’s share of the catch, but smallmouth and
largemouth can also be found. The most Smallmouth bass tend to be
found in fast moving pools and riffles in this marginal habitat. Don’t
overlook the deep, slow, pools which are so common either. While they
hold fewer bass, these are the places to find trophy largemouth and
spotted bass. The river also holds plenty of catfish, except near the
mouths of cold springs. Of course you also find rock bass, sunfish,
and more suckers than you can count. The river has plenty of access,
and bank fishing as well as float fishing are productive.
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