Thursday, July 25, 2013

Fishing Report - July 25, 2013

English: Largemouth Bass

 PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to
designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal
for all portions.

Central

Binder Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Bluegill: Fair Channel Catfish: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair; bluegill fair; channel catfish good on worms and chicken
liver; all other species slow.

Blind Pony Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Bluegill: Good Channel Catfish: Good
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
bluegill good on worms; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; all
other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats and bait held or
transported in containers with water is prohibited.

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow White Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass slow, try worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow,
try light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails; crappie slow, try minnows
and crappie jigs; catfish  slow, try cut baits, stinkbaits and chicken
livers. 

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow White Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 black bass slow, try dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; white
bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and spoons; crappie slow, try
minnows and crappie jigs; catfish  fair on cut baits, stinkbaits and hot
dogs.  

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Slow Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow White
Bass: Slow
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
All species slow.

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow Catfish: Good White
Bass: Fair
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 black bass fair, try using topwater lures and spinnerbaits; crappie slow,
try using minnows; catfish good using cut shad and shrimp; white bass fair,
try using dark colored lures. 

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow Catfish: Good White
Bass: Fair
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 black bass fair using topwater lures; crappie slow, try using minnows;
catfish good on shrimp and live sunfish; white bass fair, try using dark
colored soft plastics. 

Lamine River Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Flathead Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  muddy
flathead catfish fair on live baits; all other species slow.

Little Dixie Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Good
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
largemouth bass good on topwater lures; all other species slow; all use
including fishing is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Missouri River (Middle) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Flathead Catfish: Good Blue Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  muddy
flathead catfish good on live bluegill and carp; blue catfish fair on cut
shad; all other species slow.

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow White Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass slow, try worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow,
try light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails; crappie slow, try minnows
and crappie jigs; catfish slow, try cut baits, stinkbaits and chicken
livers.
===============
Kansas City

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Crappie: Fair White Bass: Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  dingy
All other species fair.

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area Reported on: 7/23/13
Temperature:  83º
Water Type:  clear
water level 8" low; channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut baits;
largemouth bass fair on topwater baits early and late in the day; bluegill
fair on worms around brush piles; redear sunfish slow with some success on
small jigs; crappie slow with some success on jigs 2' under a bobber near
deep water brush.

Missouri River (Kansas City area) Reported on: 7/23/13
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  muddy
all species slow.

Montrose Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  89º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
All species slow; fishing pressure very light.

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Crappie: Fair Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  86º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  dingy
All other species fair.

Truman Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   White Crappie: Good White Bass: Good Catfish: Good Black
Bass: Fair Walleye: Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
Catfish good on jug lines and cut bait; white crappie good on shad.

Truman Lake Tailwaters Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
All other species slow.
===============
Northeast

Henry Sever Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  86º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
crappie fair on minnows; bluegill fair; all other species slow.

Hunnewell Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Good Blue Catfish: Good Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 channel and blue catfish good using chicken liver and nightcrawlers;
largemouth bass good using Rapalas and plastic worms; crappie fair using
crankbaits; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats and
bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.

Long Branch Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
all catfish species good at night using liver, shrimp, stinkbaits, and cut
baits; crappie fair near structure using minnows and jigs; hybrid striped
bass good near steep shelves using shad style baits; all other species slow.

Mark Twain Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  71º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
small crappie fair on minnows and jigs; all catfish species fair on goldfish
and sunfish; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, jig and pig, and plastic
worms; all other species slow.

Mississippi River (upper) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Freshwater Drum: Good
Temperature:  79º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
all catfish good on bait fish; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species
fair.

Salt (below Mark Twain) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Blue Catfish: Good Channel Catfish: Good Flathead
Catfish: Good
Temperature:  71º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  muddy
blue catfish good on cut shad and live baits; channel catfish good on sunfish
and stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on live baits; all other species slow.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Good Crappie: Slow
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish good on setlines using nightcrawlers and shad; crappie slow
but steady using minnows and light colored jigs along Hwy. T rocks and deeper
water brush piles; all other species slow.
===============
Northwest

Bilby Ranch Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Good Crappie: Fair Bluegill: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
 low 80's, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; crappie
fair over deep brush or standing timber in coves; bluegill fair; channel
catfish good on chicken liver; all other species slow.

Grand River Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Blue Catfish: Fair Flathead Catfish: Fair Channel
Catfish: Good Common Carp: Fair
75 degrees, low, muddy; flathead and blue catfish fair on live baits and cut
baits; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; common carp
fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.

Lake Paho Reported on: 7/23/13
82 degrees, full pool, 30" visibility; black bass are hitting topwater baits
and plastic worms in shallow grassy patches; all other species slow.

Missouri River (upper) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Flathead Catfish: Good Channel Catfish: Good Blue
Catfish: Fair Common Carp: Good
82 degrees, normal, clear; flathead catfish good on live bait and worms;
channel catfish good on worms, dip baits and cut baits; blue catfish fair on
cut bait and worms; carp good on worms; all other species slow.

Mozingo Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Good Largemouth Bass: Good Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair Walleye: Slow
low 80's, normal, clear; largemouth bass good; crappie fair over deep brush
of standing timber in coves; bluegill fair on weed edge with worms; channel
catfish good on cut bait; walleye slow.

Pony Express Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Common Carp: Good
84 degrees, low, clear; largemouth bass fair on topwater lures; carp
spawning in shallow areas, good on doughbait.

Smithville Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Largemouth Bass: Good White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good Walleye: Slow
81 degrees; crappie fair in deeper water (8' - 12') in the area of
trees/brush piles on minnows; catfish good on cut shad and
nightcrawlers; white bass fair on lake points with shad imitations; walleye
slow with some fish being taken on larger points with nightcrawlers or Rattle
Traps; largemouth bass good with fish being caught in grass/weedy areas.
===============
Ozark

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  77º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits.

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.) Reported on: 7/24/13
Temperature:  74º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
all species fair on soft plastic and live bait.

Bryant Creek Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  76º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics; channel catfish fair on
worms and stinkbaits.

Bull Shoals Lake (East) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
black bass fair on topwater lures.

Current River Reported on: 7/24/13
Temperature:  74º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
Eleven Point River Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good Smallmouth Bass: Good Northern Rock
Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  64º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
Blue ribbon trout area, rainbow trout good on marabou jigs and small
spinners; white ribbon trout area, rainbow trout good on corn, minnows and
Power Baits; smallmouth bass good on soft plastics and live bait; goggle-eye
fair on soft plastics and live bait.

Gasconade River (middle) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
Freshwater Drum
Temperature:  78º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits; drum good on
nightcrawlers and crayfish.

Gasconade River (upper) Reported on: 7/24/13
Temperature:  79º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  dingy
all species slow.

Jacks Fork River Reported on: 7/24/13
Temperature:  75º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
all species good on soft plastic baits.

Norfork Lake Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
black bass fair on soft plastics and topwater lures.

North Fork of the White River Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  69º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass and google-eye fair on soft plastics.
===============
Southeast

Black River (above Clearwater Lake) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Slow Bluegill: Fair White Bass: Slow
Smallmouth Bass: Slow Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
bluegill fair on nightcrawlers; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye slow on tube
baits and plastic crayfish; all other species slow.

Black River (below Clearwater Lake) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Black Bass: Good Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
crappie fair on minnows and assorted jigs; bluegill fair on live bait; black
bass good on plastic lures; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut
baits; all other species slow.

Castor River (above Zalma) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on minnows and soft plastics; all other species slow.

Clearwater Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow Bluegill: Slow Largemouth
Bass: Slow Channel Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  89º
Water Level:  rising
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish slow on nightcrawlers at night; all other species slow.

Council Bluff Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow Largemouth Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good Bluegill: Slow
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish good on liver after dark; largemouth bass fair on dark
colored soft plastics during low light periods; all other species slow.

Cypress Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Largemouth Bass: Slow Bluegill: Fair Redear
Sunfish: Fair Channel Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  81º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
bluegill and redear sunfish fair in 2' - 3' depths on jigs, crickets and
worms; crappie slow in 1' - 3' depths on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass
slow in 1' - 3' depths on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits;
channel catfish slow in 2' - 8'  depths on worms, crickets and stinkbaits.

Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1 Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Good Crappie: Slow Warmouth: Good
Bluegill: Good Redear Sunfish: Good
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass good
on topwater lures; all other species slow.

Lake Girardeau Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Fair Bluegill: Slow Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow Redear Sunfish: Slow
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits, topwater lures and plastic worms; all
other species slow.

Mississippi River (Middle) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Blue Catfish: Fair Flathead
Catfish: Slow
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
channel catfish and blue catfish fair on worms and cut bait; all other
species slow.

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
channel catfish fair on cut baits and worms; all other species slow.

Perry County Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair : Fair : Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish fair on liver; black bass fair on crankbaits; all other
species slow.

Robert DeLaney Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Bluegill: Slow Channel Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish fair on chicken livers and stinkbaits; all other species
slow. NEW CRAPPIE REGULATION: no length limit on crappie on DeLaney Lake, the
daily limit of 15 remains in effect.

St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Green Sunfish Longear Sunfish Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  86º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on hard and soft plastic lures; crappie fair on minnows and
jigs; channel catfish fair on cut bait and nightcrawlers; all other species
slow.

St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Flathead Catfish: Fair Black
Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Temperature:  76º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish fair on pole and line and trotlines with stinkbaits and
chicken liver; flathead catfish fair on trotlines with live bait (small
goldfish or sunfish); all other species slow.

Wappapello Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
Temperature:  86º
Water Level:  normal
black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits early and late in the
day; channel catfish fair on live bait on jug lines and trotlines at night;
all other species slow.  Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit
regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Recorded lake level and other
infomation can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Information Hotline
at 573-222-8139 or 1-877-lake-info.
===============
Southwest

Bull Shoals Lake (West) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Striped Bass: Fair Crappie: Fair
Walleye: Fair Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs and
nightcrawlers; crappie fair on minnows near brush piles; walleye fair on
jerkbaits, crankbaits, and nightcrawlers; striped bass fair on large
jerkbaits and swimbaits; catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species
slow.

James River Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Good Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass good on topwater lures with spooks and buzzbaits, try using a
Carolina rig with soft plastics and nightcrawlers in 25' - 30' of water in
the afternoon; white bass good on Rattle Traps in coves, use jigs on flats in
the morning and evening hours; catfish good on minnows and nightcrawlers, try
drifting or use trotlines and limb lines; bluegill fair on worms and
crickets in 6' - 10' of water along the banks; crappie fair on jigs and
minnows, best in drop offs and deep channels.

Lake Taneycomo Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  53º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
trout good in upper portion of the lake on white, black and olive marabou
jigs and orange glo balls while drifting with the current; also try Rooster
Tails and Rogues; trout good in lower portion of the lake on fluorescent
orange, chartreuse, pink and white Power Baits, nightcrawlers and corn.

Niangua River Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Rainbow Trout: Fair
Temperature:  74º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on minnows and soft plastics; goggle-eye fair on minnows
and soft plastics; trout good on bright colored Power Baits.

Pomme de Terre Reservoir Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Crappie: Good Catfish: Good
Bluegill: Good
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
crappie good in 10' - 15' of water around structure, best on minnows; black
bass good on plastic baits on main lake points; catfish good on live baits;
bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species slow.

Stockton Lake Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Bluegill: Good White Bass: Fair Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
bluegill good on nightcrawlers and crickets; white bass fair on spoons and
topwater lures; black bass fair on jig and frog, and plastic worms; crappie
fair on tube jigs in deep brush piles.

Table Rock Lake (James River arm) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Bluegill: Good
Temperature:  86º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass good on soft plastic crayfish in watermelon colors with red fleck
during the day, use dark colors after the sun sets, try fishing in 6' - 20'
of water; bluegill good on mealworms, crickets and small jigs, fish around
bridge piers or stickups and submerged timber; all other species slow.

Table Rock Lake (main lake) Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Walleye: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on drop-shot Finesse worms in 15' of water; walleye fair on
crayfish around flats; all other species slow.
===============
St. Louis

Big River Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on cut bait; black bass slow on crankbaits; crappie slow on
minnows; bluegill fair on crickets.

Bourbeuse River Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Bluegill: Fair Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
catfish fair on cut bait; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other
species slow.

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33 Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Good Bluegill: Good
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass good on spinners and plastic worms; catfish good on cut bait and
livers; bluegill good on worms; crappie fair on minnows.

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23 Reported on:
7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
Catfish fair on worms, livers and prepared baits.

Meramec River (Crawford Co.) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Black Bass: Good Bluegill: Good Northern
Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair Sunfish: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on chicken livers; black bass good on plastic worms; bluegill,
sunfish and goggle-eye good on worms.

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Fair Bluegill: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  rising
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on cut bait; black bass good on plastic worms; bluegill good on
worms.

Mississippi River (St. Louis Region) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  muddy
Missouri River (Lower) Reported on: 7/24/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  muddy

===============
Trout Parks

Bennett Spring State Park Reported on: 7/22/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good Brown Trout: Fair
Temperature:  54º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
Zone 1 and 2 lures that are working well are: black and yellow colored,
gingersnap colored and pink and white colored marabou jigs; white colored,
and salmon colored glo balls; brown with orange tail colored, white with
white blade colored, and hatchery brown colored Rooster Tails; chartreuse
brassie; white floss; blue, red and gold colored Cracklebacks; brown midge;
Zone 3 baits that are popular are regular scent rainbow trout magnet, white
extra scent Power Bait, orange trout nuggets regular scent.  July fishing
hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  We will be cutting weeds on August 6 and
7.  We will begin by 8:00 a.m. and finish around 3:00 p.m. each day.  Thank
you for you patience.

Maramec Spring Park Reported on: 7/22/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Fair Brown Trout: Slow
Temperature:  57º
Fishing is fair, the spring branch has good flow and the water is ultra
clear, remember to use light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in deep
areas, below swift water and near submerged habitat, target these areas for
best success; rubber legged jigs in black/white, green/yellow and brown
are working well in the afternoon hours; feather jigs in black and white,
brown and yellow colors are producing good numbers of fish; trout worms in
orange, white, green and yellow are good choices; fishing hours for the month
of July are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Women's Free Fishing Day is
Saturday, September 14th. For more information call 573-265-7801.

Montauk State Park Reported on: 7/23/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  59º
The river level is normal, standing at 2.02' at the lower park boundary, the
water is clear, 2 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; fishing is
good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are
working well in the bait zones; most flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black
and yellow, olive colors and other dark colors are working well, some colors
work better at different times of the day; the best fishing is in the
mornings and evenings, especially on warmer days.  July fishing hours are
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  For up-to-date stream conditions check
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440

Roaring River State Park Reported on: 7/22/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  58º
The water is still low and clear, making for some really good dry fly
fishing, still getting the trout on hoppers, beetles, ants and Cracklebacks;
small crickets and wooly worms are still pretty good; Adams, Lt. Cahills,
renegades, caddis, blue wing olives and tricos are all still working well;
good nymphs right now would be the pheasant tail nymph, the zebra midge,
burlaps, copper johns and small brassies; olive, black, dark brown and ginger
wooly buggers are all working well right now; with the low water it is
important to use 9' leaders that are 2 lb. (7X) these work well right now; if
you are spin fishing, 2 lb. Maxima or P-line works well right now; if you are
fishing jigs, the black/yellow, dark olive, dark brown, green/yellow,
red/orange and the white have all been working; plastics are always a good
choice, white, brown, orange, fluorescent yellow and pink eggs have been
good; worms in black/yellow, John Deere green, electric chicken, cheese,
orange/white and the cream colors have all been good the past few weeks; in
Zone 3 nightcrawlers, yellow Power Bait paste and corn has all been working.

Trout Notice
Summer 2013 Advisory

Due to the record number of flood events (six total) in spring, rainbow trout
growth-rates at Department?s Montauk Hatchery near Licking have slowed during
the late spring and early summer. Reduced growth rates are a response to the
warmer, more turbid water conditions associated with flooding. As a result,
anglers will notice a small and temporary reduction in the length of fish
stocked at Montauk State Park and at Maramec Trout Park near St. James. With
improving conditions, the size of fish stocked should return to normal
lengths during August. Thanks to recent hatchery improvements and the hard
work and dedication of staff at Montauk, the impacts to anglers will be
minimal and short term.

Fish Management Notice
Trout Stocking

The Conservation Department stocks trout in each of the trout parks every
evening from the day before the March 1 opener through Oct. 30. Tag sale
estimates determine a daily stocking rate average of 2.25 fish per expected
angler. Except on opening day, three fish are stocked for every expected
angler. From March 1 to Oct. 31, the parks will collectively sell more than
400,000 tags and stock more than 900,000 fish. These fish will average about
12 inches long over the season, but some variation occurs. Dozens of lunkers
weighing upwards of 3 pounds are stocked each year. A few tip the scales at
more than 10 pounds.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Mountain Lions and Bears not your biggest outdoor threat in Missouri

These black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, a...
These black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, are found on a wide range of hosts including mammals, birds and reptiles. Black-legged ticks, I. scapularis are known to transmit Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, to humans and animals during feeding, when they insert their mouth parts into the skin of a host, and slowly take in the nutrient-rich host blood. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We write a fair amount about sightings of mountain lions and bears and some people get worried about one that might be crouched right behind the fence in their backyard.  That's pretty unlikely, but one critter I can just about guarantee is out there and waiting to cause mayhem is the good old tick.

Recently, the Missouri Department of Conservation released a statement urging outdoorsmen and women to exercise caution with regard to tick-born disease, and particularly so with regard to lyme disease.  It seems like we have noticed an increase in the number of ticks the last couple of years -could this be from warmer winters? A wet spring this year?

According to Jim Low of the MDC, the diseases that ticks carry in Missouri include ehrlichiosis, tularemia, anaplasmosis, southern tick-associated rash illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme or Lyme-like disease.  He goes on to say, "left untreated, these diseases can be fatal. Even with timely medical treatment, they can cause long-term problems that include persistent pain, fatigue, impaired mental function, and unexplained numbness."

None of these symptoms are ones that we would wish to encounter!

Precautions for preventing tick exposure are pretty standard.  They include wearing light colored clothing, wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts in the woods, tucking pant legs into boot-socks, using minimum 20% DEET repellant, and doing thorough tick checks upon coming out of the woods.  I have also noticed that Mr. Low and the MDC have been suggesting putting your clothes in the drier for one hour on high heat when you get out of them as this will kill off ticks still on you.  I am doubtful that many folks are using that suggestion.  Finally, take a shower after you get in.  You're likely dirty and sweaty anyhow, and you will likely wash off any ticks not attached yet and notice any that are.

If you have a tick firmly attached, use tweezers and try to get ahold of the little critter as close to your skin as possible. Remove with an upward movement without twisitng or jerking.  After you remove the tick clean everything including the bite area with rubbing alcohol.  If you begin to notice symptoms of any of the diseases mentioned, see a doctor right away.

Like anything else in the outdoors, a little attention to safety will go along ways.  Follow these steps and your time in the woods should be enjoyable.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Statewide Fishing Report

Micropterus salmoides

PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal for all portions.

===============
Central

Binder Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair; channel catfish fair; all other species slow.

Blind Pony Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Good Bluegill: Good Channel
Catfish: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
largemouth bass good on soft plastics and topwater lures early and late in
the day; bluegill and channel catfish good on worms; all other species slow;
the lake is closed to private boats and bait held or transported in
containers with water is prohibited.

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  78º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; black bass slow, try worms and
dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics
and Rooster Tails; catfish fair using cut shad, stinkbaits and
bluegill.   

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Black Bass: Fair White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass fair using dark
colored soft plastics and crankbaits; white bass slow, try light colored
soft plastics and spoons; catfish fair using cut baits, worms and hot
dogs.   

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Slow Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow White
Bass: Slow
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
All species slow.

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Fair Catfish: Good White
Bass: Fair
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass fair on crankbaits; crappie fair, try using minnows; catfish good,
try using cut shad; white bass fair, try using dark colored lures .

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Fair Catfish: Good White
Bass: Good
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 black bass fair, try using topwater lures; crappie fair, try using minnows;
catfish good, try using cut shad; white bass good, try using dark colored
soft plastics.  

Lamine River Reported on: 7/17/13
Temperature:  88º
Water Type:  muddy
the Lamine River is 3' low; all species slow.

Little Dixie Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Bluegill: Good Redear Sunfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish fair on chicken liver; bluegill good on earthworms; redear
sunfish good on crickets; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; all other
species slow; all use including fishing is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Missouri River (Middle) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Blue Catfish: Good Channel Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  muddy
blue catfish good on cut bait; channel catfish fair on worms; all other
species slow.

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  78º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
 crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; black bass slow, try worms
and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft
plastics and Rooster Tails; catfish fair using cut shad, stinkbaits and
bluegill. 
===============
Kansas City

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Crappie: Fair White Bass: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  dingy
All other species fair.

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area Reported on: 7/16/13
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
water level 6" low; channel catfish fair on chicken liver and cut baits;
largemouth bass good on topwater baits early and late in the day; bluegill
fair on worms around brush piles; redear sunfish slow with some success on
small jigs; crappie slow with some success on jigs 2' under a bobber near
deep water brush.

Missouri River (Kansas City area) Reported on: 7/16/13
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
blue and flathead catfish continue to bite on cut bait, goldfish or sunfish;
channel catfish are biting on worms and dip bait; all other species slow.

Montrose Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  88º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
All species slow; fishing pressure light.

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Crappie: Fair Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  dingy
All other species fair.

Truman Lake Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   White Crappie: Good White Bass: Good Catfish: Good Black
Bass: Fair Walleye: Fair
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
Catfish good on jug lines and cut bait; white crappie good on shad.

Truman Lake Tailwaters Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
All other species slow.
===============
Northeast

Henry Sever Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Good Bluegill: Good Channel Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
crappie good on minnows and jigs in shallow water; bluegill good; channel
catfish fair; largemouth bass fair; all other species slow.

Hunnewell Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Good Largemouth Bass: Good
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish good using chicken liver and cheese bait; largemouth bass
good using Rapalas; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private
boats, and bait held or transported in containers  with water is prohibited.

Long Branch Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  76º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
all species slow.

Mark Twain Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Blue Catfish: Fair Flathead Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  71º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  muddy
crappie fair on jigs and nightcrawlers; blue catfish and flathead catfish
fair on goldfish; all other species slow.

Mississippi River (upper) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Flathead Catfish: Good Blue Catfish: Good Channel
Catfish: Good Bighead Carp: Good Freshwater Drum: Good
Temperature:  81º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
flathead catfish good on live baits; blue catfish good on live baits and cut
baits; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; bighead carp
good on doughbaits; freshwater drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species
slow.

Salt (below Mark Twain) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Blue Catfish: Good Channel Catfish: Good Flathead
Catfish: Good Black Bass: Good
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish good on shad and cut
baits; black bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; all other species
slow.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Reported on: 7/17/13
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
all species slow.
===============
Northwest

Bilby Ranch Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Good
 low 80's, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; all other
species slow.

Grand River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Blue Catfish: Fair Flathead Catfish: Fair Channel
Catfish: Fair Common Carp: Fair
75 degrees, normal, muddy; flathead and blue catfish fair on live bait;
channel catfish fair on dip baits and nightcrawlers; common carp fair on
nightcrawlers; all other species slow.

Lake Paho Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Largemouth Bass: Fair
82 degrees, 32" of visibility; channel catfish are still being taken on the
standard summer baits of nightcrawlers and commercial stinkbaits early in the
morning and late afternoon into evening as it starts to cool off; black bass
are still biting on topwater lures around dawn and sunset.

Missouri River (upper) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Flathead Catfish: Good Channel Catfish: Good Blue
Catfish: Good Common Carp: Fair
80 degrees, high, dingy; flathead catfish good on bluegill and worms;
channel catfish good on worms, fair on dip baits; blue catfish good on cut
bait, fair on worms; carp fair on worms and corn; all other species slow.

Mozingo Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Good Largemouth Bass: Good Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Good Walleye: Slow
low 80's, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; crappie fair
over deep brush of standing timber in coves; bluegill fair on weed edge with
worms; channel catfish good on cut bait; walleye slow.

Pony Express Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good Common Carp: Good
79 degrees, normal, clear; catfish good on worms, hotdogs and prepared baits
near dawn and at dusk; largemouth bass fair fishing suspended near submerged
brush or along edges of aquatic plant beds; common carp fair on corn and
worms; all other species slow.

Smithville Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Largemouth Bass: Good White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good Walleye: Slow
81 degrees; crappie fair in deeper water (8' - 12') in the area of
trees/brush piles on minnows; catfish good on cut shad and
nightcrawlers; white bass fair on lake points with shad imitations; walleye
slow with some fish being taken on larger points with nightcrawlers or Rattle
Traps; largemouth bass good with fish being caught in grass/weedy areas.
===============
Ozark

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Good Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  74º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass good on jigs and crankbaits; goggle-eye fair on jigs; channel
catfish fair on live bait.

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  73º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on soft plastics and live bait; goggle-eye fair on soft
plastics, live bait and spinnerbaits; all other species fair.

Bryant Creek Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  76º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics; channel catfish fair on
worms and stinkbaits.

Bull Shoals Lake (East) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
black bass fair on topwater lures.

Current River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Good Suckers: Good
Temperature:  75º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass good on plastic worms; suckers good on nightcrawlers.

Eleven Point River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good Smallmouth Bass: Good Northern Rock
Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  66º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
Blue ribbon trout area, rainbow trout good on hair jigs and small spinners;
white ribbon trout area, rainbow trout good on corn, minnows, and Power
Baits; smallmouth bass good on soft plastics and live bait; goggle-eye fair
on soft plastics and live bait.

Gasconade River (middle) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Good Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  76º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
smallmouth bass good on jigs and crankbaits; goggle-eye fair on jigs; channel
catfish fair on live baits.

Gasconade River (upper) Reported on: 7/17/13
Temperature:  79º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  dingy
all species slow.

Jacks Fork River Reported on: 7/17/13
Temperature:  74º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
all species good on soft plastic baits.

Norfork Lake Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  dingy
black bass fair on soft plastics and topwater lures.

North Fork of the White River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Smallmouth Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass
(Goggle-Eye): Fair
Temperature:  69º
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
smallmouth bass and google-eye fair on soft plastics.
===============
Southeast

Black River (above Clearwater Lake) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Slow Bluegill: Slow White Bass: Slow
Smallmouth Bass: Slow Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Temperature:  79º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
all species slow.

Black River (below Clearwater Lake) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Fair Black Bass: Good Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on live bait; black bass good
on plastic lures; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits; all
other species slow.

Castor River (above Zalma) Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair
Water Level:  low
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on minnows and soft plastics; all other species slow.

Clearwater Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Black Bass: Slow Bluegill: Slow Largemouth
Bass: Slow Channel Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  89º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish slow on nightcrawlers on the banks; all other species slow.

Council Bluff Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow Largemouth Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Good Bluegill: Slow
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish good on liver after dark; all other species slow.

Cypress Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Crappie: Slow Largemouth Bass: Slow Bluegill: Fair Redear
Sunfish Channel Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
crappie slow in 1' - 3' depths on minnows and jigs; bluegill and redear
sunfish fair in 2' - 3' depths on jigs, crickets and worms; largemouth bass
slow in 1' - 3' depths on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits;
channel catfish slow in 2' - 8'  depths on worms, crickets and stinkbaits.

Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1 Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow Warmouth: Fair
Bluegill: Fair Redear Sunfish: Fair
Temperature:  63º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
bluegill and redear sunfish fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass fair
on topwater lures; all other species slow.

Lake Girardeau Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Largemouth Bass: Fair Bluegill: Slow Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair Redear Sunfish: Slow
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish fair
on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; all other species slow.

Mississippi River (Middle) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Blue Catfish: Fair Flathead
Catfish: Slow
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
channel catfish and blue catfish fair on worms and cut bait; all other
species slow.

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas) Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
channel catfish fair on cut baits and worms; all other species slow.

Perry County Lake Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair : Fair : Fair
Temperature:  87º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
channel catfish fair on liver; black bass fair on buzzbaits; all other
species slow.

Robert DeLaney Lake Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Bluegill: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
bluegill fair on crickets; channel catfish fair on worms, chicken livers
and stinkbaits; all other species slow. NEW CRAPPIE REGULATION: no length
limit on crappie on DeLaney Lake, the daily limit of 15 remains in effect.

St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Green Sunfish Longear Sunfish Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair Channel Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on hard and soft plastic lures; crappie fair on minnows and
jigs; channel catfish fair on cut bait and nightcrawlers; all other species
slow.

St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Channel Catfish: Fair Flathead Catfish: Fair Black
Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow
Temperature:  79º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
channel catfish fair on pole and line and trotlines with stinkbaits,
chicken liver and worms; flathead catfish fair on trotlines with live
bait (small goldfish or sunfish); black bass fair on pole and line with
spinnerbaits and plastic worms; all other species slow.

Wappapello Lake Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Crappie: Slow Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  85º
Water Level:  normal
black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits early and late in the day;
bluegill fair on crickets and worms; channel catfish fair on live bait on jug
lines and trotlines at night. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length
limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Recorded lake level and
other infomation can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Information
Hotline at 573-222-8139 or 1-877-lake-info.
===============
Southwest

Bull Shoals Lake (West) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Striped Bass: Fair Crappie: Fair
Walleye: Fair Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs and
nightcrawlers; crappie fair on minnows near brush piles; walleye fair on
jerkbaits, crankbaits, and nightcrawlers; striped bass fair on large
jerkbaits and swimbaits; catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species
slow.

James River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Good Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass good on topwater lures with spooks and buzzbaits, try using a
Carolina rig with soft plastics and nightcrawlers in 25' - 30' of water in
the afternoon; white bass good on Rattle Traps in coves, use jigs on flats in
the morning and evening hours; catfish good on minnows and nightcrawlers, try
drifting or use trotlines and limb lines; bluegill fair on worms and
crickets in 6' - 10' of water along the banks; crappie fair on jigs and
minnows, best in drop offs and deep channels.

Lake Taneycomo Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  54º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
trout good in upper portion of the lake on white, black and olive marabou
jigs and orange glo balls while drifting with the current; also try Rooster
Tails and Rogues; trout good in lower portion of the lake on fluorescent
orange, chartreuse, pink and white Power Baits, nightcrawlers and corn.

Niangua River Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Rainbow Trout: Fair
Temperature:  72º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on minnows and soft plastics; goggle-eye fair on minnows
and soft plastics; trout good on orange colored Power Baits. 

Pomme de Terre Reservoir Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Crappie: Good Catfish: Good
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
crappie good in 10' - 20' of water around structure; black bass good on
mainline points in 15' of water; catfish good on live bait.

Stockton Lake Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair White Bass: Fair Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on plastic worms and Gitzits; white bass fair on topwater
lures and spoons; crappie fair while trolling with crankbaits; catfish fair
on shad and nightcrawlers.

Table Rock Lake (James River arm) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Catfish: Slow
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
black bass fair on soft plastic crayfish, try watermelon colored with red
fleck during the day and black or dark brown during the night, also try large
purple plastic worms in 20' of water; all other species slow.

Table Rock Lake (main lake) Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Fair Catfish: Good Walleye: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  84º
Water Level:  high
Water Type:  clear
catfish good on nightcrawlers; black bass fair on topwater baits and jigs
around timbered areas in the early morning, try drop shot in 25' - 30' of
water later in the day; walleye fair on crankbaits and nightcrawlers; crappie
fair on live minnows around deep structures and timber.
===============
St. Louis

Big River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Black Bass: Slow Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on cut bait; black bass slow on crankbaits; crappie slow on
minnows; bluegill fair on crickets.

Bourbeuse River Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Bluegill: Fair Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Temperature:  78º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
catfish fair on cut bait; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other
species slow.

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33 Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Good Bluegill: Good
Crappie: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
black bass good on spinners and plastic worms; catfish good on cut bait and
livers; bluegill good on worms; crappie fair on minnows.

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23 Reported on:
7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Good
Temperature:  83º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  dingy
Catfish good on worms, livers and prepared baits.

Meramec River (Crawford Co.) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair Black Bass: Good Bluegill: Good Northern
Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair Sunfish: Good
Temperature:  80º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on chicken livers; black bass good on plastic worms; bluegill,
sunfish and goggle-eye good on worms.

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Black Bass: Good Catfish: Fair Bluegill: Good
Temperature:  81º
Water Level:  rising
Water Type:  clear
Catfish fair on cut bait; black bass good on plastic worms; bluegill good on
worms.

Mississippi River (St. Louis Region) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  dingy
Blue catfish fair on cut bait; channel catfish fair on dip baits; flathead
catfish fair on live bait; drum fair on worms and cut bait; common carp fair
on worms and corn; all other species slow.

Missouri River (Lower) Reported on: 7/17/13
Fish Reported:   Catfish: Fair
Temperature:  82º
Water Level:  falling
Water Type:  muddy
blue catfish fair on cut bait; channel catfish fair on dip baits; flathead
catfish fair on live bait.
===============
Trout Parks

Bennett Spring State Park Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good Brown Trout: Fair
Temperature:  54º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
Zone 1 and 2 lures that are working well are: gold plated black and
yellow colored and pink and white colored marabou jigs; white colored, and
salmon colored glo balls; brown with orange tail colored, white with white
blade colored, and yellow bumblebee colored Rooster Tails; chartreuse
brassie; white floss; blue, red and gold colored Cracklebacks; brown midge;
Zone 3 baits that are popular are regular scent rainbow trout magnet, Berkley
Power Bait white or orange extra scent, kapok.  July fishing hours are
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  We will be cutting weeds on August 6 and 7.  We
will begin by 8:00 a.m. and finish around 3:00 p.m. each day.  Thank you for
you patience.

Maramec Spring Park Reported on: 7/15/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good Brown Trout: Slow
Temperature:  57º
Water Level:  normal
Water Type:  clear
Fishing is good, the spring branch has good flow and the water is ultra
clear, remember to use light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in deep
areas, below swift water and near submerged habitat, target these areas for
best success; rubber legged jigs in black/white, green/yellow and brown
are working well in the afternoon hours; feather jigs in black and white,
brown and yellow colors are producing good numbers of fish; trout worms in
orange, white, green and yellow are good choices; fishing hours for the month
of July are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Women's Free Fishing Day is
Saturday, September 14th. For more information call 573-265-7801.

Montauk State Park Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  59º
The river level is normal, standing at 2.04' at the lower park boundary, the
water is clear, 2 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; fishing is
good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are
working well in the bait zones; most flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black
and yellow, olive colors and other dark colors are working well, some colors
work better at different times of the day; the best fishing is in the
mornings and evenings, especially on warmer days.  July fishing hours are
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  For up-to-date stream conditions check
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440

Roaring River State Park Reported on: 7/16/13
Fish Reported:   Rainbow Trout: Good
Temperature:  58º
Fishing is still very good at Roaring River State Park, the river is low and
clear, 2 lb. line is best right now, if you are fly fishing you'll have a
great time right now, the dry fly action is very good, beetles, ants,
hoppers, blue wing olives, caddis, griffith gnats, small cream midges are all
good on top right now; use 7X on dries, if you are going to nymph fish, 6X
works pretty well, but you'll get more hits if you use 7X and your leader
should be 9' or longer right now; nymphs that are working right now would be
caddis larva (burlaps), sow bugs, pheasant tails, copper johns, small zebra
midges (black, olive, and brown) #18 and smaller are best right now; baby
buggers and Cracklebacks are both working very well, stripping these flies
can be very effective in the heat of the day; worm and egg fisherman will do
best on white, cheese, orange/white, John Deere green, electric chicken, and
the pink/yellow have been good colors on the plastic baits; Rooster Tails,
small spoons, 3" and smaller crankbaits, and the wooly spinners are all
working well in the mornings; marabou jigs are very effective right now,
Roaring River Specials are great, olive, white, black/yellow, tan and the
brown with the green body (crystal chenille) have all been working well;
micro jigs in tan, white, olive and black/yellow are all very good right now,
you need 2 lb. line when throwing the small micro jigs; in Zone 3
nightcrawlers and corn have been working well, and the yellow Power Bait has
been good also this past week.    

Trout Notice
Summer 2013 Advisory

Due to the record number of flood events (six total) in spring, rainbow trout
growth-rates at Department?s Montauk Hatchery near Licking have slowed during
the late spring and early summer. Reduced growth rates are a response to the
warmer, more turbid water conditions associated with flooding. As a result,
anglers will notice a small and temporary reduction in the length of fish
stocked at Montauk State Park and at Maramec Trout Park near St. James. With
improving conditions, the size of fish stocked should return to normal
lengths during August. Thanks to recent hatchery improvements and the hard
work and dedication of staff at Montauk, the impacts to anglers will be
minimal and short term.

Fish Management Notice
Trout Stocking

The Conservation Department stocks trout in each of the trout parks every
evening from the day before the March 1 opener through Oct. 30. Tag sale
estimates determine a daily stocking rate average of 2.25 fish per expected
angler. Except on opening day, three fish are stocked for every expected
angler. From March 1 to Oct. 31, the parks will collectively sell more than
400,000 tags and stock more than 900,000 fish. These fish will average about
12 inches long over the season, but some variation occurs. Dozens of lunkers
weighing upwards of 3 pounds are stocked each year. A few tip the scales at
more than 10 pounds.

MDC to hold Discover Nature - Fishing event on June 8

Families will get a chance to learn about the fun of fishing at a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Discover Nature Fishing program ...