Crane Creek is a freestone river in Missouri, listed as Blue Ribbon by Missouri Department of Conservation.
The nearest USGS gauge on the same stream system is shown, labelled. 4 guides nearby are listed here.
Crane Creek is a freestone river in Missouri. Missouri has 2 waters named Crane Creek in the USGS Geographic Names Information System; this page is the stream whose mouth is in Stone County, the one the agency list names.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Crane Creek: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Crane Creek with 1 USGS gauge.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Crane Creek in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Tailwater trout fisheryFog on Lake Taneycomo, Missouri. Photo: Luke Wisley, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not James RiverThe Eleven Point River, Missouri. Photo: Charlie Llewellin from Austin, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not James River.
Missouri · about 7 mi
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Table Rock LakeMissouri · about 20 mi
Designated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Roaring RiverCrooked Creek at Highway 14 in Yellville, Arkansas. Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Roaring River.
Missouri · about 27 mi
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Stockton LakeCaddo Lake on the Texas-Louisiana line. Photo: Maciej Kraus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Stockton Lake.
Missouri · about 46 mi
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Elk RiverBuffalo National River, Arkansas. Photo: National Park Service, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Elk River.
Missouri · about 59 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the Blue Ribbon Trout Areas list (Missouri Department of Conservation, read 2026-10-16). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Whole Crane Creek, not only this reach.
Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-04) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel of the whole Crane Creek. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
3.2 of 21.9 mi on public land
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
Branson, MO · 22 mi
Lake & stillwater · Beginners & lessons · Lake Taneycomo
Nearby
Branson, MO · 24 mi
Lake & stillwater · Beginners & lessons · Lake Taneycomo
Nearby
Branson, MO · 24 mi
Wade trips · Lake & stillwater · Lake Taneycomo
Nearby
No shop nearby yet.
What 4 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 4 nearby guide websites
None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.
No hub within 40 miles
A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.
7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Crane Creek.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: a point on the mapped channel of “Crane Creek”, halfway along its length in Missouri, from the USGS high-resolution hydrography (NHDPlus HR), read 4 Nov 2026. It marks the water, not a particular access or reach. Water type is our own classification.
Caution: Rising water: fishable, but watch the level
No water temperature here.
At James River at Galena, MO (USGS 07052500). No gauge on Crane Creek. Nearest: James River at Galena, MO (6.7 mi away), on the river it flows into. Crane Creek's own flow is not measured. Provisional USGS data
USGS 07052500 · NWS GLNM7
No gauge on Crane Creek. Nearest: James River at Galena, MO (6.7 mi away), on the river it flows into. Crane Creek's own flow is not measured.
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 6:15 PM CDT to Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST; ranging 116 to 167 ft³/s; latest 165 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM CST | 167 | 3.96 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM CST | 167 | 3.96 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM CST | 167 | 3.96 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM CST | 167 | 3.96 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM CST | 165 | 3.95 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM CST | 162 | 3.94 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM CST | 160 | 3.93 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM CST | 157 | 3.92 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM CST | 154 | 3.91 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM CST | 149 | 3.89 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM CST | 147 | 3.88 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM CST | 142 | 3.86 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM CST | 140 | 3.85 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM CST | 131 | 3.81 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM CST | 133 | 3.82 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM CST | 137 | 3.84 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM CST | 135 | 3.83 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM CST | 128 | 3.8 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 124 | 3.78 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 124 | 3.78 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 124 | 3.78 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 124 | 3.78 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 122 | 3.77 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 120 | 3.76 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM CDT | 118 | 3.75 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 8:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 7:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
| Oct 29, 6:15 PM CDT | 116 | 3.74 |
Normal for Nov 5: 150–822 ft³/s (middle half of 105 years of record). Now: 165 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 165 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 105 years of record (1922–2026): 10th 99, 25th 150, median 264, 75th 822, 90th 2,470 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 53 ft³/s, highest 16,500 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 24.1%, from 133 to 165 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 3.95 ft stage, 170 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST (NWS gauge GLNM7; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 7:56 AM CST. Highest point: 4 ft, 184 ft³/s on Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 4 ft | 184 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 4 ft | 184 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 3.9 ft | 157 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 3.9 ft | 157 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 3.8 ft | 134 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 3.8 ft | 134 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Missouri Department of Conservation publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Missouri rule, with Missouri Department of Conservation's own figure added: 68°F and 70°F.
This gauge is on our page for Crane Creek, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 24.1%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 5:59 PM CST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Tailwater trout fisheryFog on Lake Taneycomo, Missouri. Photo: Luke Wisley, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not James RiverThe Eleven Point River, Missouri. Photo: Charlie Llewellin from Austin, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not James River.
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Table Rock LakeMissouri · about 20 mi
Designated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Roaring RiverCrooked Creek at Highway 14 in Yellville, Arkansas. Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Roaring River.
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Stockton LakeCaddo Lake on the Texas-Louisiana line. Photo: Maciej Kraus, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Stockton Lake.
Missouri · about 46 mi
Agency-named bass waterRepresentative photo · not Elk RiverBuffalo National River, Arkansas. Photo: National Park Service, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Elk River.
Missouri · about 59 mi
Galena, Missouri
River cabins · 6.8 mi
