Ozarks (Rural)
Hunting and fishing follow MDC rules and the trout zones
Fishing the Current and hunting the surrounding public land both run on Missouri Department of Conservation permits and special area rules that catch newcomers off guard.
The Current River and the public land around Carter County draw anglers and hunters. Both run on Missouri Department of Conservation rules.
The Current is spring-fed and cold, but the trout zones are upstream from here. MDC’s designated trout management areas on the Current are in Dent and Shannon counties, above Van Buren. The Carter County reach near Van Buren is better understood as warmwater fishing, with species such as smallmouth bass, walleye, and suckers.
Hunting is also a land-manager question. MDC areas in the county include Peck Ranch Conservation Area and Carter Creek Conservation Area. Other nearby land may be national forest or part of the National Park Service river corridor. Before you go, buy the right MDC permit, check the specific water or tract, and confirm who manages the land.
Where to see it
- MDC Trout Areas
Use MDC for current trout-area rules and permit context.
- Lower Current River Fishing Prospects
Use MDC for fishing information on the lower Current River.
- Peck Ranch Conservation Area
Use MDC for current area rules, maps, and public-land details.
References
More from Carter County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: June 15, 2026.