Missouri Outdoors: August 2016

Monday, August 29, 2016

Invasive zebra mussels now widespread at Truman Lake

MDC urges boaters to clean and dry all boats and bait gear

Warsaw, Mo. – Zebra mussels, a harmful invasive species, are now present in all arms of Truman Lake, said Mike Bayless, fisheries management biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Evidence that mussels might be present in the lake was found in prior years. But inspections conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in recent weeks have determined that they are now fairly widespread in the lake, Bayless said. This makes it imperative for boaters and anglers at Truman Lake to take steps to avoid spreading zebra mussels to other waters.

Zebra mussels are fingernail-sized bivalve mollusks native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia. The mussels arrived in the United States in the ballast water of ships. They were first discovered in a lake near Detroit in the late 1980s. Since then, they have spread into the Mississippi and Missouri River basins. The mussels reproduce rapidly and can form dense colonies attached to boat hulls, docks, pipes and other submerged materials. Nationally, they have caused billions of dollars in damage. The mussels also filter nutrients from the water that benefit native fishes. No natural or man-made controls are effective in eliminating them from large bodies of water. But they can be prevented from entering new waters.

The microscopic young, called veligers, can survive in lake water left in boat live wells, bilge pumps or bait buckets. Adult mussels attached to hulls, engine drive units and anchor chains can survive several days out of the water. Zebra mussels usually enter new lakes or rivers when a boat or dock is moved from one body of water to another.

Boaters and anglers can help prevent zebra mussels and other exotic species from spreading into new waters by draining, cleaning and drying watercraft, Bayless said. Inspect all parts of boats and motors before moving them, scrape off and trash any suspected mussels however small. Remove all water weeds from boats and trailers. Drain all water from boats and motors while on dry land before leaving a water body. Dump leftover bait on dry land. Wash and dry boats before moving them if your craft was in infested waters for a long period of time.

Zebra mussels have been found in Missouri in Smithville Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, the Missouri River and the Mississippi River. They also occur in Lake Lotawana in the Kansas City area, the lower Meramec River in the St. Louis area, and in rivers that drain into Missouri from other states. MDC encourages all water recreationists to help keep them from spreading to other waters, Bayless said.

For more information on zebra mussels in Missouri, visit http://on.mo.gov/2bBnqY7.

New Dade County conservation agent on familiar turf

Sarcoxie native Jeremy Edwards grew up fishing, camping at Stockton Lake.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When Jeremy Edwards begins his duties as Dade County Conservation agent on Sept. 1, he will be patrolling an area he knows well. A native of Sarcoxie in nearby Jasper County, he grew up fishing and camping at Stockton Lake and is looking forward to helping protect the resources of that area that he has enjoyed since he was a youth.

“I love the outdoors and I want to protect the fish, forest and wildlife natural resources we have in this state,” he said. “If we work together to properly manage and protect these resources, future generations will be able to enjoy them like we do.

Prior to his Dade County assignment, Edwards was one of two conservation agents in Shannon County. In addition to his enforcement duties, Edwards has been involved with trapping and eradicating feral hogs, elk restoration and black bear trapping and tagging. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Edwards said he is looking forward to getting to know and working with the people of Dade County. He can be reached at Jeremy.Edwards@mdc.mo.gov or (417) 955-2389.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Conservation agents work to stop wildlife trafficking

MDC asks for help to report poaching and wildlife trafficking.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are working together to stop wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking consists of poaching or taking of a protected or managed species to sell for profit. This includes buying or selling living or dead animal parts such as bones, skins, meat, and other products in violation of state or federal laws.

From the United States and Canada to Eastern Europe, China, and Africa, wildlife trafficking is a worldwide problem with some cases having roots in Missouri. It has been noted that wildlife trafficking once was predominately a crime of opportunity committed by individuals or small groups. Currently that has changed to international criminal cartels that are well structured, highly organized, and capable of illegally moving large commercial volumes of wildlife and products.

Thousands of wildlife species are threatened every year by illegal wildlife trafficking globally. From killing elephants in Africa for their tusks to poaching rhinos for their horns, these represent just a few of the targeted species for international wildlife traffickers.

In response to this crisis, Presidential Executive Order 13648 was created to establish a task force and implement a plan to combat wildlife trafficking. The plan centers on three objectives: strengthening enforcement, reducing demand, and expanding international cooperation. This cooperation includes several wildlife trafficking investigations taking place in Missouri.

What MDC is doing

Conservation agents have had a big role in working to stop wildlife trafficking both locally and globally. Missouri conservation agents have been fighting illegal caviar trafficking from paddlefish poachers on Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, and Table Rock Lake for years.

Caviar is a delicacy created by preserving fish roe in special salts. According to MDC, about 20 pounds of eggs or more can be harvested from a large, pregnant paddlefish.

“Caviar prices in illegal or black markets vary,” MDC Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz said. “A common black-market price is about $13 an ounce. Therefore a single large female paddlefish with about 20 pounds of eggs is carrying about $4,000 worth of potential caviar for black market sales.”

MDC agents, USFWS, and other state wildlife agencies have successfully stopped more than 100 people from Missouri and eight other states, from trafficking paddlefish eggs from Warsaw (Missouri) in order to sell them as caviar. Currently, 240 out of 256 state charges have been completed through the court system with more than $61,000 in fines and court costs collected. Some federal cases are still on going.

“It’s important that our conservation agents were a part of this because this is just one example of Missouri’s wildlife being exploited for commercial gain,” Yamnitz said. “If MDC didn’t put a stop to this, it could have wiped out Missouri’s paddlefish.”

Missouri also played a role in another large, nationwide criminal investigation. The investigation continues, but so far it has led to 41 arrests, 30 convictions and the seizure of smuggled elephant tusks and rhino horns with street value of more than $75 million. Some of the rhino horns seized in the investigation were trafficked through a Macon (Missouri) resident.

“Wildlife trafficking also includes the illegal transportation of captive cervids, such as whitetail deer, across the U.S. This illegal movement of animals significantly increases the risk of spreading wildlife diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease,” Yamnitz said. “Our agents are actively involved in several investigations involving this around the state.”

The Show-Me-State also has a healthy ginseng, turtle, and snake populations. The international demand for such species makes Missouri a prime location for illegal wildlife trafficking for those also.

Yamnitz added that illegal wildlife trafficking investigations are complicated and often take months to even years to complete. From conservation agents going undercover and dealing with intense situations to filling out paper work and using hi-tech video surveillance, agents have to be prepared for anything when dealing with illegal wildlife trafficking.

How the public can help

MDC encourages the public to report any wildlife violation or concerns of wildlife trafficking to a local conservation agent or by calling MDC’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-392-1111. If an individual provides information to MDC and it results in an arrest, that individual may receive a reward. The Conservation Federation of Missouri assigns the reward based on the severity of the violation involved. Rewards range from $50 to $1,000 or more.

If an individual would like to help more, MDC encourages them apply to become a conservation agent. MDC is accepting online applications through Aug. 29 for its next class of conservation agent trainees. Selected candidates will undergo 26 weeks of intense training in all facets of law enforcement and resource management. Learn more about becoming an agent on MDC’s website at http://on.mo.gov/2aKSu7d.

MDC will offer free Prairie Day event Sept. 17

Visit Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie near El Dorado Springs for tours and exhibits

El Dorado Springs, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a free Prairie Day event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie near El Dorado Springs. Tallgrass prairie is a diverse ecosystem of native grasses, wildflowers, upland streams, insects and wildlife. Prairie Day will offer wagon tours of the prairie, wildflower walks and conservation exhibits.

Co-host for the event is The Nature Conservancy. Much of the Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Area is owned by the Conservancy but managed by MDC in a partnership. The St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association will provide food concessions. Representatives of the Osage Nation will discuss the tribe’s historic ties to the Upper Osage Grasslands.

MDC staff will discuss the role prairie plays today, whether it’s preserving the iconic grassland birds like the prairie chicken, conserving plant diversity, boosting wildlife habitat or providing a place to learn how conservative grazing can be used to improve wildlife habitat.

Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie and the nearby Taberville Prairie hold remnant flocks of prairie chickens, which are endangered in Missouri. But the key to those flocks surviving is the native grasses and wildflowers that provide food and good places to nest, raise broods, hide from predators and survive winter. The same warm-season grasses and forbs also can provide summer grazing forage or winter hay for livestock. Bobwhite quail and other ground-nesting birds also benefit from prairies or the use of native grasses and forbs in pastures.

Prairies are also simply beautiful to look at, either across the open horizons, or by observing the plant diversity during a hike. Prairies also harbor wildlife such as songbirds, deer and turkeys.

For information about Prairie Day, call 417-876-5226. Information and a map for Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie Conservation Area is available at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/wahkon-tah-prairie. To learn about prairie in Missouri, visit http://mdc.mo.gov.

Register now for Perryville Deer Management Workshop Sept. 14

MDC wildlife biologists offer tips to attracting deer to your land.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wildlife biologists will host a white-tailed deer workshop for landowners Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Perryville Higher Education Center. Kyle Lorenz, MDC private lands conservationist, said the workshop is a great opportunity for landowners to hear tips from wildlife biologists and ask questions about management on their own property.

“Providing the right habitat for deer can greatly increase the odds of successful deer seasons in the future,” Lorenz said.

The workshop will include classroom discussions on basic management techniques of different habitat found in southeast Missouri, food plots, and financial assistance available to landowners. Specific topics are forest and woodland management for white-tailed deer, open land management strategies, and native plants as food plots.

A variety of MDC and Quality Deer Management Association employees will be present to talk with guests throughout the workshop. Space is limited, so registration must be made in advance by Friday, Sept. 9, by calling MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573) 290-5730. The Perryville Higher Education Center is located at 108 South Progress Drive.

More information on deer management and landowner workshops throughout the state can be found at mdc.mo.gov/property.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Missouri weekly fishing report for 8/19/2016

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: 82º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
largemouth bass fair; bluegill fair on crickets; channel catfish fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Blind Pony Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
channel catfish fair using prepared bait; bluegill fair using nightcrawlers; all other species slow; reminder, 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: 8/17/16)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair using cut baits, chicken livers, worms, and shad; crappie slow, try using minnows or crappie jigs; black bass slow, try using worms or dark-colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try using light-colored soft plastics, Rooster Tails, or crappie jigs.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair, try using cut shad, cut bluegill, worms, chicken livers; crappie slow, try using minnows or crappie jigs; black bass slow, try using dark-colored soft plastics or buzzbaits; white bass slow, try using light-colored soft plastics, spoons, Rooster Tails, or crankbaits.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair using cut bait; crappie fair using minnows; black bass and white bass slow, try using plastic worms.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
catfish good using cut shad or live bluegill; crappie good using dark-colored jigs or minnows; black bass fair using crankbaits or dark worms, white bass fair using crankbaits or dark worms.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish good using live bluegill; crappie fair using minnows or dark-colored jigs; black bass and white bass slow, try using crankbaits or worms.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Little Dixie Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
bluegill fair on worms; crappie fair on minnows; channel catfish fair on worms; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics; all other species slow; reminder that Little Dixie Lake is pole and line method only; all use, including fishing, is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Rivers

Lamine River

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on setlines; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Missouri River (Middle)

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and livers; blue catfish fair on cut bait; flathead catfish fair on live bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia)

Kansas City

Lakes

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
all species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Good
Redear Sunfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Slow
largemouth bass fair on soft plastics near cover early and late in the day; channel catfish good on cut baits and chicken liver floated under a bobber 2' - 3' deep; crappie slow, try using tube jigs or minnows near brush piles and weedbeds; bluegill and redear sunfish good on worms and small jigs.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Montrose Lake

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
bass fair; catfish fair; crappie slow; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
all species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Truman Lake

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Good
White Bass: Good
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Good
catfish hitting good on fresh cut shad, jug fishing good; crappie good in the tree rows and flats using minnows; black bass good early in the day; white bass and hybrid striped bass good, especially toward dusk using crankbaits and spoons; fishing pressure medium.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Truman Lake Tailwaters

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
all species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Rivers

Missouri River (Kansas City area)

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Slow
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
blue catfish slow, try using cut baits; flathead catfish slow, try using live baits; channel catfish slow, try using worms or stinkbaits in the tributaries; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Northeast

Lakes

Henry Sever Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Good
Catfish: Good
bluegill fair on worms and minnows; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass fair on crankbaits, Power Baits, minnows, and plastic worms; catfish fair on stinkbaits and blood baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Hunnewell Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
largemouth bass doing good on crankbaits; crappie fair on 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: 8/16/16)

Long Branch Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
hybrid striped bass fair on lures; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Mark Twain Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Fair
water levels are dropping about a half a foot a day; temperatures are at 76-81degrees depending on where you are; expect to see dingy waters in the arms near the river inlets; the water is clearing in the main channel towards the dam; crappie fair, but seeing a lot of small fish; catfish fair on shad; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Thomas Hill Reservoir

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
water condition clearing; fishing pressure light; crappie fair in deeper water structures; largemouth bass fair; channel catfish remain good using any natural bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Rivers

Mississippi River (upper)

Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Freshwater Drum: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
freshwater drum good on worms; channel catfish fair on dip bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Salt River - Downstream of Mark Twain Lake

Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
catfish good on live baits, cut baits, worms, and stinkbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Northwest

Lakes

Bilby Ranch Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Good
Walleye: Fair
black bass good; channel catfish good on cut bait; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Lake Paho

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
bass fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Mozingo Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Good
Crappie: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good; bluegill good; crappie good; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Pony Express Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 85º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Slow
crappie slow, try using jigs around structures and brush piles; bass slow; catfish good on worms, livers, and doughbaits with livers working best.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Smithville Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Fair
white bass good at the dam using Rattle Traps; catfish good in the shallows on cut baits and chicken livers; white bass good on the dam area using Rattle Traps; largemouth bass fair.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Rivers

Grand River

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
blue catfish fair; channel catfish fair; flathead catfish fair; all other species good.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Missouri River (upper)

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Common Carp: Fair
channel catfish fair on worms; flathead catfish fair on live baits and cut baits; blue catfish fair on live baits and cut baits; carp fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Ozark

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (East)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 87º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
black bass fair on soft plastics and topwater lures.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Norfork Lake

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Walleye: Fair
black bass fair on soft plastics and topwater lures; walleye fair on nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Rivers

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
black bass and goggle-eye good on jigs and small crankbaits; channel catfish fair on live bait.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 75º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
black bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics and live bait both early and late in the day.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Bryant Creek

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Current River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 73º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Eleven Point River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Gasconade River (middle)

Gasconade River (upper)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
all species good on live bait.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Jacks Fork River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 68º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye slow, try using soft plastics and grubs.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

North Fork of the White River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 71º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Southeast

Lakes

Clearwater Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 88º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Sunfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Council Bluff Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair
largemouth bass fair on dark-colored soft plastics; channel catfish fair on liver and live worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Cypress Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Slow
channel catfish fair on stinkbaits, liver, and worms; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Warmouth: Fair
Redear Sunfish: Fair
largemouth bass fair on topwater lures during low light periods; bluegill, redear sunfish, and warmouth fair on crickets and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Lake Girardeau

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Slow
black bass fair on soft plastics lures and spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on chicken livers and worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Perry County Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and cut baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Robert DeLaney Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 85º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
largemouth bass good on topwater lures; channel catfish fair on chicken liver; bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Wappapello Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on live baits and worms on jug lines and trotlines at night; all other species slow; lake level is approximately 6.5' above summer pool elevation and rising; anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie; 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: 8/15/16)

Rivers

Black River (above Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Suckers: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
black bass fair on rubber worms; all other species slow; discharge rate is 150cfs, however, downstream the river is at flood stage; discharge rate will increase as flood water pass; to get current discharge, call Clearwater COE at 573-223-777, ext. 1.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Castor River (above Zalma)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Longear Sunfish: Slow
Catfish: Slow
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Mississippi River (Middle)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
blue catfish fair on worms and cut baits; flathead catfish fair on live sunfish and goldfish; channel catfish fair on stink baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
blue catfish fair on cut Asian carp; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Suckers: Slow
all species slow; due to flooding, safety is a concern.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 85º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Southwest

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (West)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Walleye: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass fair on soft plastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers; crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles; walleye fair on nightcrawlers and while trolling crankbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Lake Taneycomo

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
trout good on white, olive, and black 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. marabou jigs, orange and chartreuse glo balls floated with the current, black/chrome or white/chrome 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. Rooster Tails, and black/chrome or blue/chrome Rogues or Rapalas in the upper portion; when water is not running, try scud and San Juan worm fly patterns or black wooly buggers at night; trout good in lower portion of the lake on orange, chartreuse, or white/pink Gulps or Power Bait eggs, Power Bait putty floated 18" off the bottom, live worms, minnows, and corn.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
catfish good on live baits or stinkbaits; white bass fair on crankbaits over flats; black bass fair on plastic baits in 15' - 25' of water; crappie fair on minnows in 20' of water over submerged timber; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Stockton Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Walleye: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Good
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
largemouth bass good on plastic worms and nightcrawlers in 10' - 20' of water or on deep diving crankbaits near submerged structure, fair on spinnerbaits at night; walleye good on spoons, spinnerbaits, and nightcrawlers along the bottom in 15' - 30' of water and on deep diving crankbaits; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers in 15' - 30' of water; freshwater drum good on nightcrawlers, crankbaits, and spoons; white bass good on deep diving crankbaits and spoons in 15' - 30' of water; bluegill good on nightcrawlers and crickets; flathead catfish fair on live baits; smallmouth bass fair on plastic worms and crankbaits in 10' - 20' of water off rocky points; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 15' - 30' of water near deep submerged structure; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Table Rock Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 85º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Good
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
bluegill good on worms and Beetle Spins; catfish good on cut baits; black bass fair on spoons and Ned rig; crappie fair on live baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
Spotted Bass: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
catfish good on shrimp and small perch; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers, blood baits, and cut baits; spotted bass and largemouth bass fair on 12" purple worms rigged Carolina or Texas style in 20' of water; smallmouth bass fair on soft plastic crayfish; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

Rivers

James River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 91º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Catfish: Good
Bluegill: Good
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
goggle-eye good on worms, crickets, and small jigs in black or crayfish colors; catfish good on live baits, cut baits, livers, shrimp, and worms using pole and line or trotlines; bluegill good on worms, crickets, and small jigs in black or crayfish colors; black bass slow, try using crankbaits in crayfish or green pumpkin colors around gravel and points or Texas rig in deep water; crappie slow, try using minnows or shad baits over deep brush piles.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Niangua River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 71º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Fair
Brown Trout: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
trout fair below Bennett Spring on Power Baits; black bass fair on soft plastic baits and live baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/15/16)

St. Louis

Lakes

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
catfish fair on doughbaits, blood baits, or livers.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

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

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
catfish fair using bloodbaits, doughbaits, or livers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Rivers

Big River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Bourbeuse River

Meramec River (Crawford Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
catfish fair on cut baits; black bass fair on crankbaits; bluegill fair on worms; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 83º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
catfish fair on natural baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Mississippi River (St. Louis Region)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 85º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Fair
blue catfish fair using cut baits; freshwater drum fair on worms.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Missouri River (Lower)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 84º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
Flathead Catfish: Slow
blue catfish fair using cut baits.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

Trout Parks

Bennett Spring State Park

Information: Park 417-532-4418
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Fair
Zone 1 and 2 popular lures: orange and black, salmon, or black and white marabou, Copper Hot Shot, red, copper, or gold brassies, orange Rooster Tail, John Deere or bedspread mini jig; Zone 3 popular baits: yellow, hatchery brown, or salmon peach Power Baits, tan Power Bait worms, minnows, or pink and white mouse tails; August fishing hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; August weed cutting is scheduled for August 30-31; cutting will begin in Zone 3 and move upstream; remember that all brown trout less than 15" in length must be returned to the water immediately; for up-to-date stream conditions check USGS water data website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?06923500; trout cam -https://mostateparks.com/content/trout-cam; for more information, please contact Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

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: Fair
fishing is good; the spring branch has normal flow and the water is clear; best fishing times are the first couple of hours shortly after the morning whistle but fish can be caught throughout the day if you change locations when fishing slows down; fish are biting very light so use a small float, very light line is key to success, 2-4 lb. test is preferred; fish are hitting doughbaits in white, salmon peach, and hatchery brown colors when fished on a small treble hook and suspended under a float; Rooster Tails in black/white, green, brown, and purple; plastic worms in orange, yellow, white, and red have all been proving good; remember that all brown trout less than 15" in length must be returned to the water immediately; fishing hours for the month of August are 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Ladies Free Fishing Day is Saturday, September 10th.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Montauk State Park

Information: 573-548-2585
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
The current water level is at 1.59' and is running clear; the majority of rain went north and south of Montauk and had little effect on the river; 4 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; any color doughbaits, yellow and orange plastic worms good choices in the bait zones; Cracklebacks, wooly buggers in olive green, and black midges are good choices in the fly-only zone; gold tinsel jigs and Rooster Tails in black and yellow, black and white, and all white are good choices in all zones; the morning and evening hours are the best times to fish, but fish can be caught throughout the day; August fishing hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; for up-to-date stream conditions, check USGS water data website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440.
(Reported on: 8/16/16)

Roaring River State Park

Information: 417-847-2430
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Kids Fishing Day is this Saturday August 20th; Cracklebacks, Adams, beetles, ants, hoppers, and caddis flies are all good right now; 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; spinnerbaits 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; Zone 3 is fishing good on white or orange Power Bait paste; corn, nightcrawlers, and natural eggs have also been working.
(Reported on: 8/17/16)

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.

Monday, August 29, 2016

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Friday, August 19, 2016

Central

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Northeast

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Northwest

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Ozark

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Southeast

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