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Fishing Big River: what the data says
Leadwood to the Meramec. sleeper smallmouth water. 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. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Big River
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass 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 Riffle & run (mile 31.7): a rock pile around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| 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 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 3.1): 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 |
Longnose Gar fishing at Big River
Spring longnose gar on Big River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 1 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 3.1), a creek channel in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for longnose gar in fall. Best bite is midday and the evening. Summer baits: a rope lure or a small white spinner gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Leadwood Tailings Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Lake Briarwood Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Fishermans Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 3.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 46.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Big River?
Big 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 River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, longnose gar on Big River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Big River?
Riffle & run (mile 31.7) 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 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
Meramec River · Council Bluff Lake · Creve Coeur Lake · Clearwater Lake · Wappapello Lake · Current River
See how Big River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Missouri · best channel catfish lakes in Missouri · best longnose gar lakes in Missouri
Browse all Missouri fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.