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Fishing Big Piney River: what the data says
Quiet smallmouth float through the Ozark hills. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Big Piney River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 18.6) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at Big Piney River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): a creek channel around 6 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 36.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 41.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Big Piney River?
Big Piney River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Big Piney River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish on Big Piney River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Big Piney River?
Riffle & run (mile 18.6) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Big Piney River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Gasconade River · Jacks Fork · Osage River · Niangua River · North Fork of the White · Current River
See how Big Piney River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Missouri · best channel catfish lakes in Missouri
Browse all Missouri fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.