Wilderness Act celebrated at Gorman Discovery Center

The 1964 Wilderness Act preserved America’s most unspoiled natural landscapes, including eight places in Missouri with names like Bell Mountain, Hercules Glades and Irish Wilderness. Many are in the rugged Ozarks. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will help celebrate 50 years of wilderness protection with three programs hosted at the Gorman Discovery Center in partnership with the Sierra Club.

   Photographs from Missouri wilderness areas by Richard Spener and Toni Armstrong will be displayed at the Discovery Center May 6 to May 20. In addition, a slideshow will be on display chronically the wilderness protection movement in America. A reception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and the kickoff for the photo display will be held 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. in Kansas City.

   John Hickey of the Missouri Sierra Club will give an overview of wilderness areas in the state at7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at the Discovery Center.

   Missouri Wilderness Day will be observed at the Discovery Center 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. The day will feature special exhibits and talks. A two-mile Walk for Wilderness will cap events and is being held in partnership with the Heartland Chapter of the Sierra Club.

   For more information, contact the Sierra Club at 816-517-5244 or the Discovery Center at 816-759-7300. All MDC programs connecting people with nature at the Discovery Center are free.

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MDC to hold MoNASP archery instructor training class in Fayette

The Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program helps build stronger, more confident and accomplished kids.

FAYETTE, Mo.—Teachers, help your students learn responsibility and focus like never 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 21 at Fayette High School. The session is free, but pre-registration by May 20 is required.   

before. TheMissouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding a training workshop for teachers interested in joining Missouri’s National Archery in the Schools program (MoNASP) from

“Nearly everyone, regardless of age, size or physical ability can succeed at archery,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Brian Flowers.  “This training will give teachers the necessary skills to start an archery program in their school.”

Upon completion of the day-long training, participants will become a certified MoNASP instructor.

MoNASP is modeled on the national archery in the schools program, which began with a simple idea; teach kids the basics of archery as part of a school curriculum. MoNASP teaches Olympic style target archery to students in grades 4-12. Currently, 350 Missouri schools and over 80,000 students participate in this life time sport.

Statistics show school archery programs improve school attendance, increase participants self-esteem and physical activity helps kids relate to learning subject matter and gets kids outdoors to discover nature.

Fayette High School is located at 510 N. Cleveland in Fayette.

To register for either workshop, please fill out an online form found here. For more information,  contact Flowers at Brian.Flowers@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7901, ext. 3388.

For more information about MoNASP, visit mdc.mo.gov.

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• NASP world student-archery championship to be held in St. Louis (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• More than 1,300 student archers to compete in MoNASP state tournament (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
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MDC offers wild turkey habitat workshop

Landowners play a critical role in turkey habitat management

SWEET SPRINGS, Mo.— Because 93 percent of Missouri land is privately owned, Because 93 percent of Missouri land is privately owned, landowners play a critical role in turkey habitat management. landowners play a critical role in turkey habitat management. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites landowners and land managers to a wild turkey habitat management workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17  at the MDC Blind Pony Fish Hatchery in Sweet Springs, Mo. The workshop is free, but preregistration by May 14 is required. Workshop topics include turkey biology, habitat management, cost-share practices and a demonstration area where habitat management practices have been performed. “Landowners can help the state’s wild turkey population by increasing nesting and brood-rearing habitat on their property,” said MDC Private Land Conservationist Seth Moore.  “This workshop is a great opportunity for landowners and land managers to learn how to improve their properties for wild turkeys and other wildlife species.” For more information or to preregister, please contact Moore at seth.moore@mdc.mo.gov or 660-886-7447, ext. 310; or contact MDC Private Land Conservationist Steven Noll atSteven.Noll@mdc.mo.gov or 660-248-3358, ext. 119. Blind Pony Fish Hatchery is located at 16285 BP Hatchery Drive. From Sweet Springs at I-70, go north one mile on Highway 127, then east 6.5 miles on Route ZZ. To learn about other Discover Nature programs in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov.

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• 2012 Conservation Recap (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
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MDC offers deer management workshop on May 17 in Osage County

Topics covered will assist landowners in all aspects of deer management

BLAND, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding a white-tail deer 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 17 at Prairie Star Farm in Bland, Mo. The workshop is free, but space is limited and participants must preregister by May 13.

A 10-point white-tailed deer buck stands in a field.
Photo by Noppadol Paothong,
courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation.

management workshop for landowners and property managers from

Experts from MDC will offer presentations on a variety of topics during the workshop. Issues covered include the biology and habitat requirements of deer in Missouri, managing habitat on private land, cost-share practices for habitat management, and the importance of prescribed burning. 

“The workshop is open to anyone interested in deer management,” said MDC Private Land Conservationist Seth Barrioz. “But it will be especially helpful to property owners or managers who want to improve their habitat for deer.”

Weather permitting; a field tour will follow the classroom session. This tour will include tree identification, plant identification, food plots, woodland edge management, and timber stand improvements.

Prairie Star Farm is located at 117 County Rd. 741, Bland, Mo.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, please contact Barrioz at Seth.Barrioz@mdc.mo.gov or 573-897-3797, ext. 116.

For other free workshop opportunities in Mid-Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov.

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• MDC offers free workshops on managing private land for deer (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• MDC testing results show no new cases of chronic wasting disease (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• MDC offers free workshops on managing private land for deer (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Avoid invasive trees such as Bradford Pears

Kansas City, Mo. – Spring is a wonderful time to plant new trees and shrubs, but landscapers should be careful not to plant species that can harm native habitats such as

woodlands. Bradford pear, for one, is an ornamental tree that has become invasive and chokes out native species in natural areas and parks. Gardeners and homeowners are urged to consider native alternatives for spring planting, such as the downy serviceberry.

   Bradford pears have been planted in the past because they produce white flowers in spring, are hardy, and experts formerly considered them safe. Because they are hybrids, it was believed they could not produce viable seed.

   But a varied mix of cultivars allowed some Bradford pears to cross pollinate and produce viable seed. Wildlife such as birds eat the fruits and scatter seeds, spreading the trees. Bradford pears, also called callery pears, compete well against native plants and trees because they leaf out early.

      “It’s also not a good ornamental tree because they’re not strong,” said Wendy Sangster, an urban forester for Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). “They don’t stand up well in storms and the limbs break easily.”

   An alternative is downy serviceberry, a native tree that produces a small red fruit edible for people and wildlife. The trees also produce showy white blooms in April and make good landscape additions.

   A reliable and always showy native is the redbud tree. They’re quick growing with lovely lavender early-spring flowers and shapely green summer foliage. Wild plum is another good alternative tree that provides showy white blooms in spring. Dogwood trees will grow and bloom in Kansas City if planted in shady areas.

    Butterflies and birds like native wildflowers and trees in landscape settings. They utilize the flowers, fruits and sheltering branches. For information on natives, see http://www.grownative.org.

    For more information about rees, go to http://www.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/trees-work. Heartland Tree Alliance offers information specific to the Kansas City area at https://www.bridgingthegap.org/heartland-tree-alliance.

   Trees provide shade, clean air, scenery, wildlife habitat, lumber and boost property values. But extra care in choosing tree species and locations helps keep both the urban forest and wild lands healthy.

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Missouri Trails Advisory Board Meeting April 26

 The Missouri Trails Advisory Board will meet Saturday, April 26, to discuss grant applications for the federal Recreational Trails Program. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at 1659 East Elm St. in Jefferson City.

The board will review and make funding recommendations for 28 Recreational Trails Program grant applications for the federal Fiscal Year 2014 funding. Funding recommendations to the Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Highway Administration are based on the application’s suitability under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and other federal guidelines.

The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program for trail-related construction, maintenance, restoration and development. In Missouri, Recreational Trails Program funds are administered by the Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

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MDC seeks public input during May on management of Peck Ranch

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

 As Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) nears its 70th year as a conservation area, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking visitor input during the month of May to develop an area management plan to guide the next 10 years. This massive conservation area is one of nearly 1,000 conservation areas owned or managed by MDC. The state agency is in a multi-year process of updating management plans for its conservation areas and is inviting public comment. For Peck Ranch, the process begins with an opportunity for the public to share suggestions or ideas from May 1-31 about how Peck Ranch should manage or modify its trails, waterways, and forest land.

The area’s 23,763 acres of rugged, forested hills and hollows are home to Missouri’s newly restored elk herd, collared lizards, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and many other valuable wildlife species. Limestone and rhyolite glades provide natural openings among the oak-pine forest that dominates the region. Narrow ridges range from 900 to 1,000 feet in elevation with the area's highest point, Stegall Mountain, reaching 1,348 feet above sea level. Rogers Creek and Mill Creek, which flow into the Current River, meander through the area. Peck Ranch provides visitors with wildlife viewing, deer and turkey hunting, hiking, and many other outdoor recreation opportunities.

“Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “These areas help people discover nature through various activities and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish, and enjoy outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.”

Comments may be submitted online from May 1-31 at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans or by picking up a comment card during the month of May at the Twin Pines Conservation Education Center in Winona or the Peck Ranch Area Headquarters. Twin Pines is located in Winona, 1.3 miles east ofthe junction of Highways 19 (north) and 60. To get to Peck Ranch CA from Winona, take Route H east five miles, then continue east on gravel seven miles to the area in Carter County. For more information, call MDC’s Ozark Regional Office at 417-256-7161.

MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing the area for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife and the public.

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• Missouri May Allow Elk Hunting by 2016 (921kmoe.wordpress.com)
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Early teal season approved

Dates are contingent on breeding population survey.

JEFFERSON CITY–The Missouri Conservation Commission has approved dates for the early teal-hunting season, contingent on the results of population surveys.

Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal are legal during the September teal season in Missouri. The season was established primarily for blue-winged teal (BWT) because this early-migrating species is essentially not present during the regular waterfowl season. Teal season frameworks depend on the current year’s BWT breeding population indices, which are determined after surveys conducted in May.

Each year, the Conservation Commission approves season dates contingent on results of these surveys in order to meet deadlines for the state rule-making process. This year’s contingent dates are:

• Sept. 6 through 21 (16 days) if the BWT breeding population index is 4.7 million or greater.
• Sept. 6-14 (nine days) if the breeding population index is at least 3.3 million but less than 4.7 million.
• No season if the BWT breeding population index is below 3.3 million.

If there is an early teal season, the limits will be six daily and 18 in possession.

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Missouri Weekly Fishing Report

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 24, 2014, until that date all black bass in those streams must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. For details see Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

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

Lakes

Binder Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Bluegill: Fair
crappie good on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Blind Pony Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
the lake is 2.5' low; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics near brush piles and the face of the dam; all species slow; the lake is closed to private boats and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
crappie slow on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass closed; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; catfish fair on worms and chicken livers.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Slow
crappie good on minnows and jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and spoons; catfish slow on chicken livers, stinkbaits and cut baits; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics, buzz baits and spinner baits.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
crappie fair on jigs in deeper water; black bass fair on plastic worms; white bass slow; catfish fair on cut bait.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
Catfish good, try using cut shad. Crappie good, use dark colored jigs with crappie nibbles. Black bass slow, use crank baits. White bass fair, try using spinner baits.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
Catfish good, try using cut shad. Crappie good, try using dark colored jigs or minnows. Black bass slow, try using soft plastics or crank baits. White bass fair, try using dark colored plastics.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Little Dixie Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
crappie fair on live minnows; largemouth bass fair on plastics;bluegill fair on beetle spin type lures; all other species slow; all use including fishing is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Lamine River

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on cutbait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Missouri River (Middle)

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
blue catfish good on cut shad; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
white bass slow on light colored soft plastics, rooster tails and crappie jigs. Crappie slow on minnows and crappie jigs. Catfish fair on worms, cut shad and chicken liver.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Kansas City

Lakes

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
All other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
water level 1' low; black bass fair with plastic worms near brush piles; crappie good using tube jigs near shallow water brush piles; bluegill fair on worms under a bobber; trout slow using Power Bait and small jigs.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Montrose Lake

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Pressure light.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
All other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Truman Lake

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Crappie good on the upper end: heading to the banks. Catfish good on cut bait and shad.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Truman Lake Tailwaters

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good
Catfish good at lower end of lake; starting to head to the banks. Walleye have slowed.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Rivers

Missouri River (Kansas City area)

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
the river level is low and fishing for catfish remains slow; channel catfish are biting in the tributaries on shad sides, Asian carp sides and worms; blue catfish are beginning to move onto the flats, but the bite is slow; all other species are slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Northeast

Lakes

Henry Sever Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits; crappie fair on jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Hunnewell Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
largemouth bass fair using spinnerbaits and plastic worms; crappie fair using light colored jigs; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Long Branch Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and leeches along riprap of Hwy. AX; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Mark Twain Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
White Bass: Fair
crappie fair on bright colored jigs in deeper water off channel; blue catfish fair on natural baits close to shore; white bass fair on crankbaits up rivers and creeks; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Thomas Hill Reservoir

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
crappie good on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Mississippi River (upper)

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Freshwater Drum: Good
Common Carp: Good
channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers; freshwater drum good on nightcrawlers; common carp good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Salt (below Mark Twain)

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
white bass good near the re-reg dam on curly tails and small crappie jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Northwest

Lakes

Bilby Ranch Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Walleye: Slow
58 degrees, normal and clear; black bass good on crankbaits; channel catfish good on cut bait; crappie moving on to banks; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Lake Paho

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
60 degrees, full pool and clear at the south end and dingy on the north end; success improving on all species. hybrid stripped bass over 20 inches have been taken while targeting both large mouth bass and crappie; channel catfish up to 5-6 lbs are being taken on nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Mozingo Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Walleye: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
54 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie, black bass and channel catfish are good; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Pony Express Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
60 degrees, low and clear; crappie moving into shallows, starting to bite on minnows; largemouth bass good on artificial worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Smithville Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Good
Catfish: Fair
White Bass: Good
55 degrees, low and muddy; crappie are slow; black bass are good on jigs and spinner baits; catfish fair on natural bait; white bass good on rooster tails.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Grand River

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
normal but falling and muddy; channel catfish fair on worms and dip baits; all other species are slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Missouri River (upper)

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 51º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
Common Carp: Good
51 degrees, normal and muddy; channel catfish good on worms and fair on dip baits; flathead catfish fair on worms; carp good on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Ozark

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (East)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
white bass and crappie fair on minnows and live bait; black bass fair on artificial lures.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Norfork Lake

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
white bass and crappie fair on minnows and jigs; black bass fair on artificial lures.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
goggle-eye fair on jigs and nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Bryant Creek

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Current River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
goggle-eye fair on jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Eleven Point River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
rainbow trout good on Power Bait and corn; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Gasconade River (middle)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
goggle-eye fair on jigs and nightcrawlers; channel catfish fair on minnows.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Gasconade River (upper)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
Sunfish: Fair
goggle-eye and sunfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Jacks Fork River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

North Fork of the White River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Southeast

Lakes

Clearwater Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
White Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
crappie fair on the flats moving into shallow waters on jigs and minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Council Bluff Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
black bass good on dark colored soft plastics and crankbaits; crappie good on minnows; bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Cypress Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
largemouth bass fair on artificial lures in 2 '- 3' of water; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 2' - 3' of water with mostly smaller fish being caught right now; bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 67º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Redear Sunfish: Slow
crappie fair on jigs and minnows; bluegill fair on jigs and minnows; largemouth bass fair on plastic worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Lake Girardeau

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
largemouth bass fair on worms; crappie fair on worms and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Perry County Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Largemouth Bass: Fair
crappie good on minnows; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Robert DeLaney Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Wappapello Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
crappie good using minnows and jigs in shallow water; black bass fair using crankbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish fair using worms; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Recorded lake level and other information can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Information Hotline at 573-222-8139 or 1-877-lake-info.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Black River (above Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 64º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
White Bass: Fair
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
smallmouth bass and google-eye are fair on plastics and spinnerbaits; white bass fair on Rooster Tails or Road Runners; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
crappie good on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Castor River (above Zalma)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Sunfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Mississippi River (Middle)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
the river is steady at 23'; channel catfish and blue catfish fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on worms and cut baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Green Sunfish: Good
crappie good on small minnows; green sunfish good on small minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 64º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Southwest

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (West)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
Walleye: Fair
black bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and Alabama Rigs (only 3 hooks allowed); white bass good on white Rooster Tails and swimming minnows; crappie good on minnows, jigs, and swimming minnows; walleye fair on jerkbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Lake Taneycomo

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Fair
flow advisory in effect for upper portion of the lake; trout fair in upper portion of the lake on white, olive and black marabou jigs and glo balls on spinning gear while drifting with the current; trout fair in lower portion of the lake on pink, white, chartreuse and orange Power Baits.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Good
Walleye: Good
black bass good on plastic worms and crankbaits while casting shorelines and points; walleye good on yellow and chartreuse jigs and Rogues while casting shallow points; crappie good on chartreuse jigs around brush piles in 4' to 15' of water and the back of coves; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Stockton Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Walleye: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Good
crappie good on minnows and jigs along the banks; walleye fair on minnows at the edge of bluffs and up into the lake arms; black bass slow, best on chartreuse-colored jerkbaits on flats and off points in 6' to 15' of water; catfish slow, best on liver from banks of coves and points; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Table Rock Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
black bass good on umbrella rigs (no more than three hooks) and shakey heads around spring transition areas; crappie fair on white jigs around submerged cover; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
White Bass: Good
Walleye: Fair
white bass good on white sliders, pearl white swimming minnows, and X-raps that dive to at least 6', live minnows and Alabama Rigs with three hooks are also working well; crappie good on small jigs and minnows in early morning and late evening; black bass fair on swimbaits and spinnerbaits, Alabama Rigs with three hooks also working well, try smoke or shad colored baits that mimic a small school of fish and cast along rocky bluffs that have some submerged tree tops, green colored jigs thrown on gravel points are producing good results; walleye fair on spinnerbaits, shad crankbaits and live minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Rivers

James River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Good
Catfish: Good
black bass good on Wiggle Warts and stickbaits in shallow water; crappie good on 1/16 - 1/32 oz. black or pink jigs and minnows in 5' - 10' of water around trees; white bass good on minnows and white, pink and black Rapalas in the morning and evening; catfish good on minnows and worms in open channels of warm water.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Niangua River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Slow
Brown Trout: Slow
rainbow and brown trout slow, best on brightly colored Power Bait and olive/dark colored flies; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

St. Louis

Lakes

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Catfish: Slow
Crappie: Slow
all species slow;
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
catfish slow on cut bait, doughbait, blood bait and livers; call the "Fish Stocking Hotline" (636) 300-9651 for stocking information.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Rivers

Big River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
channel catfish fair on cut bait; all other species fair on natural baits.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Bourbeuse River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Fair
Brown Trout: Good
crappie fair on jigs; brown trout good on flies and spoons; all other species slow;
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Black bass good on spinners; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Mississippi River (St. Louis Region)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Slow
Channel catfish are slow on cutbait; sturgeon and drum are fair on worms.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Missouri River (Lower)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Slow
All species slow.
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Trout Parks

Trout Parks

Bennett Spring State Park

Information: Park 417-532-4418
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Fair
Zone 1 and 2 lures that are working well are: white, powder pink or gingersnap marabou jigs; blue holographic or red Cracklebacks, red, copper brown or candy cane brassie; Zone 3 baits that are popular are: salmon peach Power Bait and red or pink plastic worms; April fishing hours are from7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May fishing hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Kids Free Fishing Day will be May 3rd, fishing will start at 6:30 a.m. a special area will be heavily stocked just for the kids, exhibits will be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., lunch will be provided to kids 15 and younger. If you have any questions call 417-532-4418
(Reported on: 4/23/14)

Maramec Spring Park

Information: 573-265-7801
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
Fishing is good, the spring branch has normal flow and the water is clear; fish are biting on doughbait in white, yellow, cream and brown colors fished beneath a bobber or tightline; green/white, black/white, and green/yellow rubber leg jigs; trout worms in orange, black/yellow, red, green/white, and orange/white are producing good fish; remember to use lightweight line and small tackle especially when the water is very clear; fishing hours for the month of April are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kid's Free Fishing Day is Saturday May 17, 2014. For more information, call 573-265-7801.
(Reported on: 4/21/14)

Montauk State Park

Information: 573-548-2585
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
the water level is slightly below normal and running clear, the river level is currently 1.39' at the lower end of the park; 4 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. April fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For up-to-date stream conditions check http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

Roaring River State Park

Information: 417-847-2430
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
The river is going down. Water level is below normal for this time of year. Right now using 6X tippet on fly rods and 7X when fishing dry flies. Best flies right now are #14-#22 Adams, #14-#22 blue wing olives, #14-#20 caddis fly, zebra midges #18's and smaller, pheasant tails, copper johns, burlaps, sow bugs and hares ears all #14's and smaller; black, brown, and the olive Rooster Tails; small Colorado wooly bugger spinner combos; orange, white, and florescent yellow Power Bait eggs; plastic worms in orange, cheese, pink, and orange peel area all good. Marabou jig fishing is good right now, on a spin or casting reel, you will need 2 or 3 lb. line, p-line, maxima, or mean green will work well; still using #10 hooks on the worms and #12 and smaller for the plastic eggs; 3/0 and BB sized sinkers will work best for you right now; Zone 3 is fishing good on Power Bait paste, white has been good and orange has been working; also corn, nightcrawlers and natural eggs have been working.
(Reported on: 4/22/14)

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.

Related articles

• Missouri Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Weekly Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Oklahoma Weekly Fishing Report (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Department of Conservation Statewide Fishing Report (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)