Fishing at Sunburst Ranch

Sunburst Ranch

HCR 68, Box 140

Caulfield, MO 65626

phone 417-284-3443

Fishing the North Fork River/ Fishing Report

The North Fork of the White River is one of the most beautiful free-flowing trophy trout streams in the Ozarks. It is fed by a multitude of natural springs, and comes as close to a western trout stream as can be found in this part of the country. The stretch of river from Rainbow Spring to Patrick Bridge has been designated a Blue Ribbon Trout Area which is the rating given to only the highest quality streams in the state. With an 18 inch length limit and only one fish per day allowed fishermen have a great opportunity for catching a trophy wild rainbow trout. This brown trout caught by Scott Allred was well over the legal limit, but was returned unharmed.

Probably the most effective way to fish the river is to float it yourself, in either a canoe or one of our personal pontoon boats stopping to wade, fishing the riffles and runs along the way. Or if you prefer to just wade we have over a mile of prime trout water here at Sunburst Ranch. Nice rainbows and browns are caught on our stretch of water all the time with guides stopping in several places along our campground. The rainbow trout above and the large brown trout in one of the previous pictures were caught in the middle of February 2007 by myself and friend Scott Allred. While the trout on the North Fork can be fickle at times, they can be caught year round at all water levels.

The fish on the left is a year old stream bred North Fork River rainbow trout. Much more colorful than a typical stocker, makes catching small fish fun! Thanks to the blue ribbon trout restrictions these fish have a chance to grow to the size of the fish on the right, caught by Steve Farr in 2006.

Call Sunburst if you wish to be set up with a guide, or if you have any questions about fishing the North Fork.

Sunburst campstore offers a full line of flies and a limited amount of tackle, call ahead to find out if we have what you might need.

North Fork River Fishing Report

March/April 2007 - March was exceptionally warm this year and as a result the fishing was quite good. While the average size of the fish dropped off somewhat the numbers increased dramatically. Several of our clients reported days of 30 plus fish with most fish being in the 10-13 inch range. We are in the middle of a big cold front right now, but I expect the same patterns to be working as it warms again. Stonefly patterns seem to be best right now with most larger nymph patterns producing as well. These seem to be working best with a small dropper such as a soft hackle. As usual use plenty of weight, if you aren’t loosing a few flies to the bottom you aren’t down enough. The river is easy wading right now as we have been without rain for a few weeks, who knows when that will change with hopefully some spring rains returning.

Useful websites:

Start with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s site ;

see also the Missouri Flyfishing page.

And click here for Dennis Galyardt’s suggestions for productive lures on the North Fork!

Fishing regulations on the North Fork of the White River:

Permits: A trout permit, in addition to the prescribed fishing permit, is required to possess and transport trout.

Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Rainbow Spring to Patrick Bridge) Fishing regulations include an 18-inch minimum length limit on all trout, and a daily limit of one trout. Fishing will be restricted to flies and artificial lures only. Gigging of non-game fish will not be permitted. These restrictive regulations are designed to sustain the maximum density of adult trout and offer the chance to harvest a trophy-sized trout. The North Fork is stocked below Blair Bridge in the fall with brown trout. All rainbow trout are naturally reproducing wild fish.

Red Ribbon Trout Area (Patrick Bridge to Norfork Lake) There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on trout from these streams, and a daily limit of two trout. Gigging of non-game fish will be permitted. These streams will provide good catch-and-release fishing and a chance to harvest quality-size trout.