Class III Castor River, MO

Castor River Above Zalma (Highway 72 to Maple Flats Conservation Area)

The Castor is not a perpetual flow river, and is only navigable in or near flood stage conditions which occur shortly after significant rain events pound the surrounding drainage basin.

 

The Amidon area is home to over 136 species of plants, 35 species of fish including smallmouth, largemouth, spotted and shadow bass, as well as sunfish. It is also home to spothanded and golden crayfish, two species that are found only in the Ozarks. Local plants include many varieties of wildflowers and grasses including wild hyacinth, prickly pear cacti, little bluestem, pencil flower, pineweed, rushfoil, flowering spurge and sundrops. A wide variety of wildlife is found along the Castor River where hunters go for deer, turkey, squirrels and other small to medium game.

 

The waters are cool, clean and clear with an aqua green coloration on this very remote stream flowing a few miles east of the Saint Francis and Black Rivers of far southeastern Missouri near the Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee borders. Its upper reaches flow through the Mark Twain National Forest. Excellent water quality and gorgeous scenery are characteristic of the river, especially above Gipsy.

 

While most of the river is technically navigable, a very short area of about 1.5 miles around Hahn's Mills Shut-in is the reach most commonly paddled because of its awesome scenery, big drops and relatively easy access from Fredericktown and SH 72. Ledge drops into pools with occasionally strong hydraulic currents, tight chutes and rocky shoals produce interesting paddling conditions for those with skills and experience to quickly see their lines, then execute the maneuvers necessary to hit them. However, when the river flows at navigable levels it is possible to paddle it all the way to the Mighty Mississippi. (southwestpaddler.com)

Section Details

Trip Length Multiday, 129.0 Miles
Notes https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations
Fishing Yes
Camping Yes
Manager State, Missouri Department of Conservation
Wild & Scenic No
Water Trail Yes
Partner Information http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/castor2.html
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=aa720aaaf06b49269b355b5a6e049d28