Spring Creek

Spring Creek is a Missouri Department of Conservation Blue Ribbon Trout Management Area in Phelps County, on Mark Twain National Forest land around Highway J. The creek runs about six miles from Relfe Spring down to its confluence with the Big Piney River, populated entirely by wild, stream-bred rainbow trout.

The upper three miles above the public/private boundary sit on private land and require landowner permission. The lower roughly three miles to the Big Piney confluence are public. Rainbow trout migrate downstream from private water after the winter spawn, so fish of all sizes show up in the public reach through late winter and spring.

A USGS gauge tracks flow through the creek. This is small, technical water that rewards careful wading and accurate short casts.