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In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky bass) may not be possessed from March 1 through the Friday before the fourth Saturday in May. During those dates 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.
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: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
water level is normal and dingy; crappie fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Blind Pony Lake
Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
1' low and clear; crappie fair; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats; bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited; please return boats available for use (at no charge) to the shoreline storage area when done; boats left elsewhere on the lake are unavailable for others to use.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Slow
crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass fair on jerkbaits and dark-colored soft plastics; white bass fair on light-colored soft plastics and spoons; catfish slow, best on worms, cut baits, and chicken livers.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Slow
crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass fair on jerkbaits and dark-colored soft plastics; white bass fair on light-colored soft plastics and spoons; catfish slow, best on worms, cut baits, and chicken livers.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
White Bass: Slow
crappie slow on minnows; black bass fair on crankbaits; catfish fair on cut baits; white bass slow on crankbaits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish slow, best on cut shad; crappie good dark-colored jigs and minnows; black bass fair on crankbaits; white bass slow, best on spinnerbaits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake of the Ozarks (Osage)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair on cut shad; crappie good on dark jigs and minnows; black bass slow, best on spinnerbaits; white bass slow, best on spinnerbaits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Little Dixie Lake
Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
crappie good on minnows; largemouth bass fair on jigs; channel catfish fair; all other species slow; all use, including fishing, is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Rivers
Lamine River
Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Blue Catfish: Good
Flathead Catfish: Good
last week rains brought the Lamine up about 2'; channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish were all good during the rise; channel catfish remained good through water level dropping; best area to fish is upstream from Roberts Bluff and Swinging Bridge access; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Missouri River (Middle)
Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Blue Catfish: Good
water level is falling and muddy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; blue catfish fair on cut Asian carp; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia)
Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
crappie slow, best on minnows and crappie jigs; white bass slow, best on light-colored soft plastics, crappie jigs, and Rooster Tails; catfish fair on worms and cut shad; please remember that black bass season is closed on Ozark streams until May 23.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Kansas City
Lakes
Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA)
Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass fair on spinnerbaits; catfish fair on cut baits; crappie fair on jigs; all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area
Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Good
Bluegill: Good
Black Bass: Fair
lakes are full; black bass fair; channel catfish fair; crappie good on tube jigs near brush piles; bluegill good using worms under a bobber; rainbow trout slow with some success using Power Baits; brown trout slow with some success using minnows and artificial lures; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Montrose Lake
Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass good on flies and spinnerbaits; catfish fair on cut baits; crappie fair on jigs; all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA)
Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass fair on spinnerbaits and spoons; catfish fair on cut baits; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Truman Lake
Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
Crappie: Good
catfish good on fresh cut shad; crappie good on jigs; white bass and hybrid striped bass fair on spinnerbaits and flies; fishing pressure medium.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Truman Lake Tailwaters
Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Good
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Good
white bass and hybrid bass good on Sassy Shad, spinnerbaits, and spoons; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; catfish good on cut baits; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Rivers
Missouri River (Kansas City area)
Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
water level is steady and muddy; fishing for catfish is picking up; blue catfish fair using cut baits, livers, and shrimp; channel catfish slow with some success on shad sides and worms in or near tributaries; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Northeast
Lakes
Henry Sever Lake
Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 64º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Muskellunge: Good
largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; muskellunge good on crankbaits; all other species are slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Hunnewell Lake
Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Bluegill: Good
Redear Sunfish: Good
Crappie: Good
largemouth bass good on jig and pig; bluegill good on nightcrawlers; redear sunfish good on nightcrawlers; crappie good on jigs with Crappie Nibbles; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Long Branch Lake
Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
crappie good on minnows and jigs; channel catfish fair on worms, leeches, minnows, and livers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Mark Twain Lake
Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Largemouth Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good
52-56 degrees in the main channel and 56-60 degrees in the upper arms of the lake; the water temperature has dropped since last week with the rain and cool air temps; lake level is at 606.66' and dingy; crappie good on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs with a minnow tip on the banks at a depth between 2' - 5'; largemouth bass fair off the points and on the banks in the arms of the lake; white bass fair in the rivers on small, soft-plastic minnows and small crankbaits; catfish good on goldfish, sunfish, bluegill, and shad; all other species are slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Thomas Hill Reservoir
Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Good
Catfish: Good
714' and pretty clear; crappie success slowed with recent front but the water temperature should help crappie spawn; largemouth bass slow; hybrid striped bass good on crankbaits on the windy side of shallows; catfish good; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Rivers
Mississippi River (upper)
Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Freshwater Drum: Good
channel catfish good on worms and cut baits; freshwater drum good on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Salt River - Downstream of Mark Twain Lake
Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Northwest
Lakes
Bilby Ranch Lake
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Black Bass: Good
crappie good; black bass good; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake Paho
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
crappie good on small spinnerbaits and tube jigs; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Mozingo Lake
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Walleye: Fair
crappie good; black bass good; channel catfish good; bluegill and walleye fair.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Pony Express Lake
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
black bass fair on spinnerbaits; crappie good on jigs and worms; catfish good on worms, cut baits, and chicken livers.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Smithville Lake
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Good
Catfish: Good
Walleye: Slow
White Bass: Good
crappie fair; black bass good; catfish good; walleye slow; white bass good.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Rivers
Grand River
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Blue Catfish: Fair
Common Carp: Fair
Freshwater Drum: Good
channel catfish fair on fresh cut baits and worms; blue catfish fair on fresh cut baits; common carp fair on worms; freshwater drum fair on worms.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Missouri River (upper)
Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Common Carp: Good
channel catfish and common carp good on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Ozark
Lakes
Bull Shoals Lake (East)
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
white bass good on jigs or minnows; crappie fair on jigs or minnows; black bass fair on artificial baits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Norfork Lake
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Walleye: Fair
white bass good on jigs or minnows; crappie fair on jigs or minnows; black bass fair on artificial baits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Rivers
Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.)
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 64º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
goggle-eye good on soft plastic grubs; channel catfish fair on live baits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.)
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
goggle-eye good; smallmouth bass fair on soft plastics.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Bryant Creek
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Current River
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
goggle-eye fair on jigs.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Eleven Point River
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
all species good.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Gasconade River (middle)
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 64º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
goggle-eye good on soft plastic grubs; channel catfish fair on live baits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Gasconade River (upper)
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Jacks Fork River
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
all species good on soft plastic.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
North Fork of the White River
Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Southeast
Lakes
Clearwater Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Slow
White Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
crappie fair on crankbaits or jigs while trolling; white bass fair on spinnerbaits; largemouth bass slow, best on jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Council Bluff Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
crappie good on minnows during low light periods; largemouth bass fair on dark-colored plastics; channel catfish fair on livers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Cypress Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 65º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
Redear Sunfish: Slow
crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Chain Pickerel: Slow
Warmouth: Slow
water level is 346.3; crappie fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; bluegill fair on crickets and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Lake Girardeau
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Redear Sunfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
redear and bluegill fair on crickets and worms; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass fair on artificial worms and spinnerbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Perry County Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 66º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
crappie good on live baits and jigs; black bass fair on spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on cut baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Robert DeLaney Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Good
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Good
crappie good on green and black jigs with a Crappie Niblet and inline spinners and minnows; bluegill good on waxworms and crickets; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Wappapello Lake
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
lake level 359.81'; black bass fair on crankbaits and soft plastics; crappie good on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; catfish fair using live baits 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 information can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Information Hotline at 573-222-8139 or 1-877-lake-info.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Rivers
Black River (above Clearwater Lake)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Black River (below Clearwater Lake)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Fair
crappie fair on minnows and jigs; catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits; white bass fair on jigs and lures; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Castor River (above Zalma)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Longear Sunfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Mississippi River (Middle)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
river level is 20.4' and falling; channel catfish and blue catfish fair on stinkbaits, worms, and cut baits; flathead catfish fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Slow
Flathead Catfish: Slow
32.2' (New Madrid cresting); catfish fair on worms and cut baits; nongame fish fair with archery equipment in backwater; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Fair
catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits; crappie fair on minnows and assorted jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake)
Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Fair
channel catfish fair on pole and trotlines using worms, stinkbaits, and chicken liver; crappie fair on pole and line with minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Southwest
Lakes
Bull Shoals Lake (West)
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
crappie good on live minnows, soft plastics, and jigs around stick-ups and submerged timber, some are being caught closer to the bank also; black bass good on soft plastics, jigs, and spinnerbaits.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Lake Taneycomo
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
trout good in upper portion on white/chrome and blue/chrome Rouges, 1/4 and 1/8 oz olive/white/black marabou jigs and Rooster Tails when generators are running, try scuds and San Juan worms when water is not running; trout good in lower portion on chartreuse, orange, white, and pink Power Baits nuggets, corn, minnows, and nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
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
crappie good on minnows and white tube jigs in 12' - 15' of water; black bass good on plastic baits and brown tube jigs in 5' - 10' of water; walleye good off points on jig and worm or jig and minnow while bottom bouncing; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Stockton Lake
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Good
Walleye: Good
crappie good on black tube jigs or minnows in rock/gravel banks or pea gravel banks of coves; white bass good on swimming minnows; walleye slow on jigs with nightcrawlers; black bass fair in coves with gravel bank in 15' of water; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Table Rock Lake
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
crappie good on worms and minnows around cover; black bass fair on Ned rigs and plastic lizards off secondary points.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Table Rock Lake (James River arm)
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Walleye: Fair
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
white bass good on small blue crankbaits, white or chartreuse Vibric Rooster Tails while trolling the main channel or cast into gravel points; crappie good on small minnows around stick-ups or small jigs around submerged brush piles; walleye fair on large creek chub minnows or 3" - 4" crankbaits; black bass fair on white and chartreuse spinnerbaits with a gold spinner, also try a Wiggle Wart when fishing against rock ledges; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Rivers
James River
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 63º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Paddlefish: Good
paddlefish good and are starting to move up river; crappie good on jigs and minnows near the bank; catfish good on worms and minnows; black bass fair on soft plastic Texas rig and worms; bluegill fair on worms.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Niangua River
Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 61º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
Black Bass: Good
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
trout good below Bennett Spring on bright-colored Power Baits; goggle-eye good on nightcrawlers and minnows; black bass good on minnows.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
St. Louis
Lakes
August A. Busch Memorial and Weldon Spring Conservation Areas
No report submitted. Please contact the appropriate regional office for additional information.
Information: 636-441-4554
Information: 636-441-4554
Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Good
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
catfish fair on doughbaits and livers; black bass fair on plastic worms; crappie fair on minnows; bluegill good on worms.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Black Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Good
Crappie: Fair
catfish fair on doughbaits and livers; black bass fair, best on plastic worms; crappie fair, best on minnows; bluegill good, best on worms; call the fish stocking hotline for recent stocking information 636-300-9651; please remove your trash.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Rivers
Big River
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Slow
catfish fair on cut baits and blood baits and livers; black bass fair on crankbaits; crappie slow, best on minnows; bluegill fair on crickets.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Bourbeuse River
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
catfish fair on cut baits, blood baits, and worms; bluegill fair on worms; black bass slow, best on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; crappie slow, best on minnows.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Meramec River (Crawford Co.)
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Rainbow Trout: Fair
Crappie: Fair
catfish slow, best on cut baits, blood baits, and livers; black bass slow, best on plastic worms; crappie fair on minnows; bluegill fair on worms; rainbow trout fair on flies.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Meramec River (St. Louis Co.)
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
catfish fair on worms; black bass fair on crankbaits; crappie slow, best on minnows; bluegill fair on worms; in most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass may not be possessed from March 1 -May 22; during those dates, 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.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Mississippi River (St. Louis Region)
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Blue Catfish: Good
Flathead Catfish: Good
all catfish good, best on cut baits.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Missouri River (Lower)
Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Fair
all catfish good, best on cut baits; freshwater drum fair on nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Trout Parks
Trout Parks
Bennett Spring State Park
Information: Park 417-532-4418
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Slow
Zone 1 and 2 lures that are working well: gingersnap marabou, black & yellow marabou, red and white marabou, light roe or white glo balls, copper john, white Rooster Tails, and red Cracklebacks; Zone 3 baits that are popular: salmon peach Power Baits, and white worms; fishing hours for April are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; fishing hours for May are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.; weed cutting is scheduled forMay 19th - 20th; cutting will begin in Zone 3 and move upstream; Kids Free Fishing Event is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd; kids 15 and under get a free daily tag on this day, plus there will be exhibits for kids; portions of the stream will be reserved for kids fifteen and under; lunch will be provided for kids 15 and younger; if you have any questions, please contact Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418.
(Reported on: 4/29/15)
Maramec Spring Park
Information: 573-265-7801
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
fishing is good; the spring branch has good flow and is the water is clear; fish are hitting on doughbaits in yellow, white, and salmon peach colors fished on the bottom or under a float; this bait has even produced a few lunkers recently; trout worms in yellow, black/white, and orange/white rigged 18 inches below a small split shot are doing well; green/white rubber leg jigs fished in slack water above riffles are producing good fish; remember that all brown trout less than 15" in length must be returned to the water immediately; fishing hours for the month of April are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m; Kids Free Fishing Day is Saturday May 16th. For more information call 573-265-7801.
(Reported on: 4/27/15)
Montauk State Park
Information: 573-548-2585
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
water level is normal and running clear; the river is currently at 1.81' 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 doughbaits are working well in the bait zones; most flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black, yellow, olive 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.; May fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.; for up-to-date stream conditions check http://waterdata.usgs.gov/
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
Roaring River State Park
Information: 417-847-2430
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Kids Fishing Day is May 16th; the river is normal for this time of year and is really becoming clear; right now Cracklebacks, Adams, beetles, ants, hoppers and caddis flies are all good; leaders are 9' with 6X or 7X tippets; fish are still being caught on nymphs, pheasant tails, copper johns, black, brown and gray zebra midges, sow bugs, burlaps, hares ears and small prince nymphs; glo balls, San Juan worms, black, brown, olive and tan buggers and leeches work well most of the day, fish are still being caught on the baby buggers in the same colors; plastic eggs and worms are still catching lots of fish, orange, orange/white, cheese, white, and fluorescent yellow have all been good; spinners are still working in the early mornings black, brown, white, olive and skunk have all been working well; jig fisherman are really doing well right now, the water is good for sight fishing and the jig fisherman are catching trout on olive, black, brown, white and tan; if you are using Micro Jigs, tan, olive and black/yellow have been the best colors.
(Reported on: 4/28/15)
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. FromMarch 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.
