Friday, September 23, 2016

Missouri Weekly Fishing Report for 9/23/2016

P. annularis

Central

Lakes

Binder Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Bluegill: Good
Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
crappie and bluegill good on minnows and jigs; catfish fair on worms and cut baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Blind Pony Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 81º
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: 9/21/16)
Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair using cut baits, chicken livers, worms, and cut 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: 9/21/16)
Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair using cut shad, cut bluegill, worms, or chicken livers; crappie fair using minnows and 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: 9/21/16)
Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish slow, try using cut baits; crappie slow, try using minnows; black bass and white bass slow, try using soft plastic worms.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
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 and white bass fair using crankbaits or Rooster Tails.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Lake of the Ozarks (Osage)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
catfish good using live bluegill or hot dogs; crappie fair using minnows or dark-colored jigs; black bass fair using crankbaits; white bass fair using crankbaits.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Little Dixie Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
catfish slow, try using worms or prepared baits; crappie slow, try using minnows; bluegill slow, try using worms; 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: 9/21/16)

Rivers

Lamine River

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
water one foot above normal level; channel catfish good on worms between Deborgmont and Harriman Hill accesses; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Missouri River (Middle)

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
blue catfish and flathead catfish fair on live baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
White Bass: Slow
catfish fair using cut baits, chicken livers, worms, and cut 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: 9/21/16)

Kansas City

Lakes

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 86º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Fair
all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Bluegill: Good
Redear Sunfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
largemouth bass good on soft plastics near cover early and late in the day; channel catfish good on chicken liver and worms; crappie fair on tube jigs and minnows near brush piles and weedbeds; bluegill and redear sunfish good on worms and crickets.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Montrose Lake

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
bass fair on reservoir, slow in tributaries; all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Truman Lake

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Fair
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
catfish good on jigs; crappie good on minnows; all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Truman Lake Tailwaters

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
all other species fair; fishing pressure light.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Rivers

Missouri River (Kansas City area)

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Good
Flathead Catfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
water level is falling, with some debris in the flow; blue catfish and flathead catfish good on live baits and a variety of cut baits, especially cut Asian carp; channel catfish fair on gizzards, worms, and stinkbaits; all other species fair on worms.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Northeast

Lakes

Henry Sever Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Catfish: Fair
bluegill fair on worms and minnows; crappie good on minnows and fair on 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: 9/20/16)
Hunnewell Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 73º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Redear Sunfish: Good
Bluegill: Good
above normal pool; redear and bluegill good on earthworms; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats; bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Long Branch Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
one foot below normal pool; channel catfish good on minnows, stinkbaits, cut baits, and worms; hybrid striped bass good using lures resembling shad early morning and evening; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Mark Twain Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Fair
water level is at 607.99; temperatures are at 71-75 degrees depending on where you are; the water level is falling; the water is clearing from the last rainfall; crappie good on minnows and Power Baits; catfish fair on cut baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Thomas Hill Reservoir

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Good
Largemouth Bass: Good
Catfish: Good
water condition is murky due to recent rains; crappie good along rocky shores using light-colored jigs; hybrid striped bass good using trolling methods; largemouth bass good on rattle type lures; catfish good using all natural baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)

Rivers

Mississippi River (upper)

Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Freshwater Drum: Good
Flathead Catfish: Fair
freshwater drum good on worms; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; blue catfish good on cut baits; flathead catfish fair on live bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Salt River - Downstream of Mark Twain Lake

Information: 573-248-2530
Water Surface Temp: 70º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)

Northwest

Lakes

Bilby Ranch Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 76º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Good
Walleye: Fair
black bass fair; channel catfish fair on cut bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Lake Paho

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 74º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
bass fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Mozingo Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 75º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Good
Walleye: Fair
channel catfish, walleye, bluegill, and crappie fair; black bass good.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Pony Express Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
Black Bass: Slow
crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bass slow; catfish good on worms, livers, and doughbaits, with livers working the best.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Smithville Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
catfish good on all types of catfish baits, especially where water is coming into the lake; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Rivers

Grand River

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Flathead Catfish: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
flathead catfish good on live bait; channel catfish good on dip baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Missouri River (upper)

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 71º
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 worms; blue catfish fair on live baits and cut baits; carp fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Ozark

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (East)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Norfork Lake

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)

Rivers

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 75º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Bryant Creek

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 76º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Fair
smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Current River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 70º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Eleven Point River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 60º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
rainbow trout good; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Gasconade River (middle)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Gasconade River (upper)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 76º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Jacks Fork River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 68º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
North Fork of the White River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 66º
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: 9/20/16)

Southeast

Lakes

Clearwater Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Sunfish: Slow
black bass fair on topwater lures; crappie fair on jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Council Bluff Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
largemouth bass fair on dark-colored soft plastic lures during low light periods; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Cypress Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
Largemouth Bass: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/16/16)
Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Warmouth: Slow
Redear Sunfish: Slow
largemouth bass fair on topwater lures; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Lake Girardeau

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Redear Sunfish: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Slow
channel catfish fair on chicken livers and stinkbaits; black bass fair on soft plastic lures and spinnerbaits; bluegill fair on crickets and waxworms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Perry County Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and liver; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Robert DeLaney Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
black bass fair on soft plastics; bluegill fair on wax worms; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Wappapello Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on live bait and worms on jug lines and trotlines at night; black bass fair early and late in the day on crankbaits and soft plastics near the shoreline; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets and worms in the brush; all other species slow; lake level is approximately 9' above summer pool elevation and rising due to recent rains; 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: 9/20/16)

Rivers

Black River (above Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 70º
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: 9/20/16)
Black River (below Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Suckers: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
black bass fair on plastic worms; all other species slow; discharge rate is 1450 cfs; to get updated discharge, call Clearwater COE at 573-223-777, ext. 1.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Castor River (above Zalma)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
Longear Sunfish: Slow
Catfish: Slow
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Mississippi River (Middle)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
blue catfish fair on worms and cut baits; flathead catfish fair on live sunfish; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
14.8' at New Madrid; blue catfish fair on cut Asian carp and skipjack; channel catfish good on stinkbait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 75º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Suckers: Slow
black bass fair on soft plastics; channel catfish fair on live baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Good
Flathead Catfish: Good
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
channel catfish good on stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on small live sunfish and goldfish; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Southwest

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (West)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Walleye: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass fair on jigs, soft plastics, nightcrawlers, and topwater lures at dawn and dusk; crappie fair on minnows around heavy structure; walleye fair on nightcrawlers and crankbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Lake Taneycomo

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
trout good on 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz, black, white or olive marabou jigs, orange or chartreuse glo balls floated with the current, 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. black or white Rooster Tails and Rogues or Rapalas in the upper portion; when water is not running, try scud and San Juan worm fly patterns or black wooly buggers for brown trout. 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; trout also good on Little Cleo spoons and small crankbaits while trolling in more than 10' of water, also try live worms, minnows, and corn.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Pomme de Terre Reservoir

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 72º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair : Fair
Walleye: Fair
Muskellunge: Fair
black bass good in 12' - 15' of water around structure; crappie fair in 15' of water over brush; walleye fair; muskie fair.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Stockton Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Walleye: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Good
White Bass: Good
Bluegill: Good
largemouth bass good on plastic worms and nightcrawlers in 5' - 15' of water or on deep diving crankbaits near submerged structure; 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 spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails, spoons, and crankbaits in 2' - 10' of water; bluegill good on nightcrawlers; smallmouth bass good on plastic worms, spoons; crappie good on minnows, jigs, spoons, and deep diving crankbaits in 15' - 30' of water near deep submerged structure; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Table Rock Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 82º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
black bass good on crankbaits at various depths off gravel slopes and 45 degree banks; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Table Rock Lake (James River arm)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 81º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Smallmouth Bass: Fair
catfish good on cut shad and small perch; largemouth bass fair on single bladed spinnerbaits after dark; smallmouth bass fair on soft plastic crawdads; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)

Rivers

James River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 80º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
Bluegill: Good
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Good
goggle-eye good on worms, crickets, and small jigs; 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; crappie good on minnows and green/white jigs in deep brush piles in 4' - 8' of water; black bass good on Texas rig around structure with large black or dark-colored worms, use crayfish-colored crankbaits in swift water for smallmouth bass.
(Reported on: 9/19/16)
Niangua River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 70º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Slow
Brown Trout: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
black bass slow, try using soft plastic lures and live baits; trout slow below Bennett Springs, best on Power Baits; goggle-eye slow, try using worms and small jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/19/16)

St. Louis

Lakes

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Catfish: Slow
Crappie: Slow
catfish slow, try using blood baits, doughbaits, or livers; black bass slow, try using spinnerbaits or crankbaits; crappie slow, try using minnows; bluegill fair on worms.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, and 7

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 76º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
catfish slow, try using blood baits or doughbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Rivers

Big River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 75º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Bourbeuse River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 77º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Fair
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
catfish fair on cut baits and worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Meramec River (Crawford Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 74º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Meramec River (St. Louis Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 76º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
catfish good on cut baits and blood baits; black bass fair on topwater lures; bluegill fair on natural baits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Mississippi River (St. Louis Region)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 79º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Freshwater Drum: Fair
blue catfish fair using cut baits; channel catfish fair on dip baits; freshwater drum fair on worms.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Missouri River (Lower)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 78º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
blue catfish fair using cut baits; channel catfish fair on dip baits.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)

Trout Parks

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: shell and white, salmon marabou, gray or white scud, white or salmon glo balls, John Deere mini jig; Zone 3 popular baits: salmon peach or brown Power Baits; September fishing hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; October weed cutting is scheduled for October 4 - 5; 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 athttp://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: 9/19/16)
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 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 times for the month of September are 7:30 a.m.- 7:15 p.m.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)
Montauk State Park

Information: 573-548-2585
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
water level at the lower end of the park is up slightly from last week at 1.56' and is running clear; 4 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; in the Fly-Only Zone, fish have been caught on black or olive colored streamers such as leaches, wooly buggers, and rabbit hair sculpins; anglers have also been successful drifting grey or tan scuds, copper Johns, and black midges in the Catch & Release zone; white jigs and Rooster Tails are effective just above the Mill Dam; in the bait zones, any color doughbaits, red, white, or orange plastic worms, and white or gold-tencil jigs have been effective; the morning and evening hours remain the best times to fish, but fish have been caught throughout the day; September fishing hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; for up-to-date stream conditions, check USGS water data website at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440.
(Reported on: 9/21/16)
Roaring River State Park

Information: 417-847-2430
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
the river is up slightly from the rain last week; the water is clear and visibility is good, the dry fly fishing is back; right now we are fishing dark wooly buggers, prince nymphs, copper johns, lightning bugs, small gold jigs, small thread jigs and brassies; large dry flies will take a few here and there; the fish are still reacting to a hopper or beetle; glo balls and the San Juan worms, in bright orange and red are also working; the water is back to normal and the use of Power Bait is recommended if you just want to catch a fast limit of trout, the orange, brown and white are all good in the eggs; if you are using the worms, the orange peel, black/yellow, John Deere green, electric chicken and cheese are all working; small gold spoons are really good if you fish them deep and slow; small spinners still work fine; jigs are catching fish, 1/32 and smaller are best, a few people have been catching trout on the white and olive micro jig; larger jigs are working best, in the darker colors, olive, black, black/yellow and dark brown have all been working well; in the clear water the use of 2-lb line is recommended; if you go into zone 3 nightcrawlers and minnows would be good choices, or any of the bright colored Power Baits should work.
(Reported on: 9/20/16)

Trout Stocking

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.

MDC to hold Discover Nature - Fishing event on June 8

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