Osage Fork River

The Osage Fork of the Gasconade River, or "the Fork," as locals refer to it, is an attractive stream in the central Ozarks. Osage Fork is not to be confused with the much larger Osage River to the north, which was dammed to form Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. While it is often overshadowed as a smallmouth bass fishery by the Gasconade River as one of that stream's tributaries, the Osage Fork offers fine smallmouth bass fishing in its own right -- and in seasons of adequate water makes for some sporty floating. Its 57 mile length stretches in a northeastern direction from its headwaters in Webster County near Rader, MO downstream to its terminus at the Gasconade River near Hazelgreen, MO in adjoining Laclede County.

The stream has a general gradient of about 5 feet per mile featuring short, twisty riffles separated by long, peaceful pools. Many of its frequent bends have a tendency to be log-jammed so remain alert when canoeing the Fork, especially after spring flood season. These frequent log obstructions and overhanging brush warrant the stream’s Class II difficulty rating although the remainder of the stream is pretty tame. Osage Fork is blessed with many clean gravel bars providing for a shady lunch spot or overnight campsite. The riparian corridor along the stream is predominantly tree-lined although many dairy and cattle farms are located in the watershed. A lack of recreational canoeing traffic and fishing pressure combine to provide an adventurous smallmouth angler a sense of solitude – and the reward of top notch bronzeback fishing.

Floating:

The highest practical put-in during times of sufficient spring water levels is the MDC Rader access (mile 0.0) at the Hwy 22 bridge near the town of the same name. Two low water bridges 2.4 and 4.3 miles downstream offer alternate put-ins or wade fishing access. Hwy J bridge (mile 9.0) provides additional access as well as the next bridge downstream at mile 14.2. State Hwy 5 (17.0) is not recommended as an access point since it’s been posted by the landowner. An old mill dam at Orla (mile 21.5) provides a thrill as you pass through the break in the dam and into the swift run below. The stream above Orla is more suited to springtime and may be too low after mid-June to provide enjoyable canoeing. Still, anglers willing to drag through shallow riffles in mid-summer may find some outstanding bronzeback action.

Hwy B bridge (mile 28.7) on downstream is usually canoeable year-round. Putting in here, anglers would have a good chunk of bronzeback water to fish taking out at MDC Drynob access (mile 38.9) found just past the Hwy 32 bridge crossing. Another popular one-day float is from Drynob to the MDC Davis Ford access at Hwy AC (43.8) or from Davis Ford to MDC Hull Ford access (mile 52.5). The final 4.5 miles of river can be floated by putting in at Hull Ford and taking out at MDC Hazelgreen access on Gasconade River located about a mile downstream from the confluence of these two waterways.

Fishing:

Osage Fork offers very good smallmouth angling for numbers of fish up to 16 inches with an occasional lunker possible. The water color is generally a bit on the murky side so noisy lures like buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and topwaters are consistent producers. Try these lures around the numerous rootwads at the heads and tails of pools. Dark colored plastics such as crawfish and spider legged jigs are the ticket in the short riffle areas and swift runs. Also, small crawfish imitating crankbaits like the Rebel Crawfish or Bass Magnet in browns and muted greens are tops for fast action on bronzebacks as well as for the innumerable rock bass, green and the colorful long-eared sunfish.

For tackle, medium light spinning outfits (6 to 8 lb. test line) or light action baitcasting gear (8 to 10 lb. test line) are about right. Provided the water is clear, which is about 3 feet visibility in Osage Fork, flyfishermen would do well with popping bugs, wooly buggers or crawfish flies fished on a floating line.

Due to the frequent larger pools on Osage Fork, concentrate your casts near moving water including riffle areas and the heads/tails of pools. In faster sections, try wade fishing to thoroughly probe the runs for feeding smallies. Largemouth bass and channel catfish also swim in the Fork and provide additional species to pursue.

Services

No campgrounds or canoe rental liveries are located on the Osage Fork River. Gasconade Hills Campground (573-765-3044) near Hazelgreen on the Gascoanade River does offer canoes and shuttles on the middle to lower Osage Fork for those who call ahead to make arrangements. Their campground has electric hookups, showers and a small store. Other lodging accommodations can be found in the towns of Richland or Lebanon, MO. For the more adventurous, try an overnight campout on one of the clean gravel bars available on Osage Fork. There’s no better way to explore a longer section of the stream than on an Ozark overnighter.

Discover the Osage Fork.

Note: In 2000, partly at the urging of the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance, the Missouri Department of Conservation designated a section of Osage Fork River as a Special Smallmouth Bass Management Area. From Skyline Road near Orla Mill Dam to its confluence with the Gasconade River, the possession limit on smallmouth bass is one fish with a 15-inch minimum length limit. The special reg is expected to improve angler catch rates, average sizes and provide the opportunity to tangle one of those rare Ozark lunker smallies.