Missouri Department of Conservation

St. Louis Large Rivers

St. Charles, St. Louis and Jefferson counties border 102 miles of the Upper Mississippi River and the lower 56 miles of the Missouri River, both of which provide a variety of large-river fishing opportunities for bank and boat anglers alike. In addition, the confluence of these two great rivers at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area provides some of the best catfishing in the country.

Several public access sites can be found on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers around St. Louis. To view a map of river access sites in the St. Louis Region, refer to the “St. Louis Recreation Areas” PDF listed under “Related Information” below.

Anglers can find a variety of fish species in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, but they most often seek catfish. Check MDC’s Fishing Report listed below to find out how the fish are biting. Also, it is a good idea to know the river stage before fishing, which you can check daily at the USGS water data link listed below. As you become an experienced “river rat,” you will know what stage is best for different types of fishing.

Missouri River Accesses

• Blanchette Landing Access
• Bangert CA
• Columbia Bottom CA
• Howell Island CA
• Pelican Island CA
• Weldon Spring CA

Mississippi River Accesses

• Cliff Cave Park
• Columbia Bottom CA
• Cuivre Island CA
• Hide Away Harbor
• North Riverfront Park
• Truman Access
• Upper Mississippi CA

A word about boating safety

When boating large rivers, there are some hazards to consider, including rock dikes, closing structures in chutes and sloughs, barge wakes and sand flats. Although it is better to have an experienced friend who can introduce you to basic river navigation, you can safely navigate the river on your own by using common sense and introducing yourself to the basic rules of navigation, which can be found in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Charts. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Charts of the Mississippi and/or the Missouri River are available from Gone West, 2nd and Walnut Streets, St. Louis, MO 63102, or call 800-537-7962 to place credit card orders.

Contaminants in large-river fish

The Missouri Department of Health has issued a general warning regarding contaminants in fish from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Consumption of bottom dwelling fish such as catfish, suckers, carp, and drum should be limited to one meal per week, due to low levels of chemicals such as chlordane that can be found in the flesh of those species. To view this year’s fish consumption advisory, visit the Missouri Fish Advisory page listed below.