Crane Creek

Crane Creek, located in extreme southwest Lawrence and Stone counties, offers the opportunity to pursue wild rainbow trout. The rainbow trout in Crane Creek were originally derived from the McCloud River in California in the late 1800's and the last known rainbow trout stocking in Crane Creek was in 1967. The rainbow trout population has sustained itself through natural reproduction since that time. Public access to the creek is available on Wire Road Conservation Area (WRCA) as well as at the city park in Crane. Crane Creek is currently managed as a Blue Ribbon trout fishery in the upper eight miles to maximize and sustain the fishery. While harvest is assumed minimal, one fish per day at least 18 inches long is allowed. Only flies and artificial lures are permitted in this Blue Ribbon management zone.

During snorkel surveys in September 2024, biologists counted approximately 850 rainbow trout per mile on WRCA. This is the highest number of rainbow trout observed in this area since surveys were first initiated in 1994. A good majority of these fish were <8”, indicating very good recruitment in previous years. The number of intermediate sized fish from 8”-12” averaged 299 rainbow trout per mile, while the number of larger sized fish in the 12”-18” range averaged 86 rainbow trout per pile. The number of legal sized rainbow trout >18” was 13 rainbow trout per mile. Most of the larger rainbow trout were observed in the deeper pools as well as beneath the numerous undercut banks and root wads within the creek.