Illinois Bayou: Don't let the name confuse you. There's nothing bayou-like about this Ozark smallmouth stream north of Russellville. Avoid the headwaters, but the seven-mile float from the state Route 27 north of Hector to the state Route 164 bridge north of Scottsville provides relatively easy floating and good fishing. You'll need to bring your own canoe and provide your own shuttle; no commercial services are available in the area.

Kings River: This northwest Arkansas jewel rises in Madison County and flows northward to Table Rock Lake in Missouri. It's a small river, but it has big fish, with 18-inch smallmouths not at all uncommon, so medium spinning gear or even bait-casting tackle is appropriate.

The 11 miles from Marble Access (just off U.S. Route 412) to Marshall Ford at the tiny settlement of Alabam is a beautiful, fishy float, as is the 15 miles from Alabam to Rockhouse, off the end of Route 22 south of Berryville. Rockhouse is actually a short distance up Warm Fork from Kings River, so be careful you don't miss it. From Rockhouse, it's another seven miles of smallmouth water to Trigger Gap and then 12 more miles to the U.S. Route 62 bridge east of Eureka Springs. Twelve miles below Route 62 is the Summers Ford access.

Except for the one-fish, 18-inch minimum stretch between Trigger Gap and Route 62, Kings River has a daily limit of two fish with a 14-inch minimum length.

For river services, try Beaver Lake Canoe & Kayak, (479) 925-2313; Kings River Outfitters, (479) 253-8954; and Riverside Resort and Canoes, (800) 528-4645.

Little Missouri River: This is one of the state's most southern smallmouth streams, but it's hardly inferior. The Little Missouri is one of the best in the state, as well as one of the most beautiful.

Unless you're an experienced white-water canoeist, though, avoid the eight and a half miles between Albert Pike Recreation Area (in southwest Montgomery County) and state Route 84 (east of Umpire.) The fishing is good, but the river drops 25 feet per mile in this stretch, with some Class IV rapids. The 11-mile float between Route 84 and U.S. Route 70 just above Lake Greeson is calmer, and there are lots of smallmouths.

This is a Quality Smallmouth Stream; the daily limit is two with a minimum length of 12 inches. For river services, contact Little Missouri Cabin & Canoe, (870) 398-4700.

Mulberry River: This river gets a lot more visitation from floaters than anglers, but the smallmouth fishing can be as good as you'll find in the state. The eight and a half miles from Turner Bend (on state Route 23 north of Ozark) to Milton's Ford (on Forest Service Road 1503 west of Route 23) is a good winter float if it hasn't been too rainy. There are lots of willow strainers and Class II rapids here, though, even in dry weather, so be careful and heed the weather forecast.

On the Mulberry, a Quality Smallmouth Stream, the limit is two fish, with a 12-inch minimum. For river services, contact: Turner Bend Canoe Rental, www.turnerbend.com, (479) 667-3641; Byrd's Adventure Center, 1-888-520-7301.