MDC works with partners to improve fish habitat at Table Rock and Bull Shoals reservoirs

 

Missouri Department of Conservation staff a
re currently working on improving fish habitat at Table Rock
and Bull Shoals reservoirs by dropping trees
 (pictured above) at select sites around these lakes.

Brush piles will serve as fish attractors.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Creating a spot that attracts fish is a great way to attract anglers.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is refurbishing existing underwater fish habitat brush piles throughout Table Rock and Bull Shoals reservoirs and establishing habitat at new sites in these two popular lakes. This work is being funded with a grant MDC received from Bass Pro Shops to replenish and establish fish habitat sites at Table Rock and Bull Shoals.

The origins of the habitat improvement project currently underway at Table Rock and Bull Shoals can be traced back to the National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI), a project that went from 2007-2013 and involved MDC, Bass Pro Shops, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and many other partners. This project resulted in the establishment of 2,024 fish habitat structures at Table Rock and 193 in Bull Shoals.

The grant MDC received from Bass Pro Shops in 2022 is to refurbish 645 of the brush piles on Table Rock and 35 sites on Bull Shoals to ensure that they remain viable fish attractor locations. An underwater brush pile serves multiple roles for fish: It can provide nursery habitat and protective cover for some young fish, as well as attracting larger, predatory sportfish species such as crappie and bass. This conglomeration of fish, in turn, translates into great fishing spots for anglers.

“Table Rock and Bull Shoals are aging reservoirs and much of the woody structure in these lakes is deteriorating,” said MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Shane Bush, who manages Table Rock Lake. “Fish habitat projects like this one and the NFHI project allow MDC to be proactive in helping to maintain the quality fish populations these reservoirs have and ensure that fishing remains great for anglers in the future.”

The current project began in November 2022 and will continue through December of this year. So far, 371 brush piles have been rebuilt and 19 new brush piles have been established at Table Rock. At Bull Shoals, 27 brush piles have been rebuilt and six new brush piles have been added.

The GPS locations for these sites can be found on the MDC website at https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/where-fish.  Other fishing information can be found at mdc.mo.gov.

Taney County angler catches record striped bass

Lawrence Dillman of Rockaway Beach caught this 65-pound, 2-ounce state-record striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake on May 21, 2015.

Congratulations to Lawrence Dillman on breaking state-record by catching 65-pound, 2-ounce striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake.

BULL SHOALS LAKE (TANEY COUNTY, Mo.) – Lawrence Dillman of Rockaway Beach became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a giant striped bass on Bull Shoals Lake using a rod and reel. The new “pole and line” record striped bass caught by Dillman on May 21 weighed 65 pounds, 2 ounces with a length of 49 ¾ inches and a girth of 36 inches. Dillman used 20-pound test line and a chub minnow to catch the behemoth.

“I fought the giant for over 45 minutes until I got him to shallow water,” Dillman said. “I then bear hugged the fish and got it out of the water on to the bank.”

The new giant broke the previous pole and line state-record striped bass of 60 pounds, 9 ounces caught on Bull Shoals Lake in 2011.

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale at the MDC Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Taney County.

“Once the fish was on the line, I knew I had a decent one, but I didn’t at all think it was a striped bass,” Dillman said. “I thought it was a spoonbill or something else. But when I got him to the bank I knew I had something amazing!”

The longtime angler said the fish is now at Bass Pro in Springfield getting mounted.

Dillman said he fishes every day and he doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. “I’ve caught bigger fish in the ocean, but this fish is the biggest fresh-water fish I have ever caught.”

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

Missouri Weekly Fishing Report (MDC)

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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.



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CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

     LAKES

Binder Lake: 83 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 87 degrees, clear; 3' low; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 85 degrees, dingy; black bass fair using dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on hot dogs, cut baits and worms.
 (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 85 degrees, dingy; crappie and catfish fair; black bass and white bass slow.
 (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 85 degrees, dingy; black bass slow, try using soft plastics and spinnerbaits; crappie fair using minnows; catfish good using live bait and cut shad;
white bass fair near Ha Ha Tonka State Park. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 85 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow, try using soft plastics; crappie fair using minnows and fishing deep; catfish good using live bait, cut shad and liver; white bass slow.
 (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 83 degrees, low, clear; all species slow; the area is closed to all activities, including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

     RIVERS

Lamine River: 87 degrees, 5' low; channel catfish fair using pole and line methods between the Old Hwy 50 Access and the North Bridge on the Lamine River Conservation Area; all other species slow.

 (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Missouri River (middle): low, muddy; blue catfish and channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and live  baits; flathead catfish fair on live goldfish and bullheads; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 72 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow, try worms and light colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; catfish slow, try cut baits, stinkbaits, worms and chicken livers.
 (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 74 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow, try worms and light colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; catfish slow, try cut baits, stinkbaits, worms and chicken livers.
 (Report made on 8/8/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

     LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 87 degrees, low, muddy; all species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 90 degrees, clear; water level 1.8' low; all species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Montrose Lake: 85 degrees, low, dingy; catfish fair; black bass and crappie slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 87 degrees, low, muddy; all species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Truman Lake: 85 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on minnows and jigs on flats; catfish good on cut bait; white and hybrid striped bass good on crankbaits, still surfacing; all other species fair. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 87 degrees, low, clear; crappie fair; all other species good. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

     RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 88 degrees, falling, muddy; blue catfish and flathead catfish good at night using cut Asian carp and shad; large catfish being caught using worms and cut Asian carp; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

     LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 83 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair using earthworms and stinkbaits; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 82 degrees, low, dingy; carp near the surface are good for bow fishing; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Mark Twain: 89 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; channel catfish good on cut baits and nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Sever: 84 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish fair on Sonny's dip bait; black bass fair on wacky worms; bluegill and redear sunfish fair on live baits beneath bobbers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 87 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

     RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 85 degrees, rising, muddy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 82 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits near stick-ups; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on trotlines set in deep holes; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/8/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

     LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 84 degrees, low, clear; black bass good on soft plastics or topwater lures during low light hours; channel catfish good on chicken liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Lake Paho: 89 degrees, low, clear; largemouth bass good in early morning and late evenings on soft plastics; channel catfish good using commercial dip baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 85 degrees, clear; black bass good near weedlines and deeper brush using crankbaits or soft plastics; crappie good over deep brush in 15 - 18' of water; catfish fair on cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 82 degrees, low, clear; catfish good using chicken liver; all other species fair. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Smithville Lake: 86 degrees, low, clear; crappie fair around brush piles in 10 - 12' of water using jigs or minnows; white bass good in the shallows towards evening using Road Runners and Rattle Traps; catfish good in shallow water using prepared baits, nightcrawlers and crayfish. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

     RIVERS

Grand River: 82 degrees, falling, channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 86 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish good on worms; flathead catfish good on worms and live bait; blue catfish good on cut bait; carp fair on worms. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

     LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 86 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Norfork Lake: 84 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

     RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 80 degrees, low, clear; black bass and goggle-eye good on crankbaits and soft plastic worms. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 83 degrees, low, clear; black bass fair on soft plastics, nightcrawlers and minnows in early morning and late evening; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Bryant Creek: 83 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Current River: 79 degrees, low, clear; suckers good on nightcrawlers; smallmouth bass fair on plastic worms. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Eleven Point River: 62 degrees, low, clear; rainbow trout fair on minnows; smallmouth bass fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 82 degrees, low, clear; black bass and goggle-eye good on crankbaits and soft plastic worms. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 82 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Jacks Fork: 78 degrees, low, clear; all species good on soft plastics. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 69 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

     LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 90 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on topwater baits early and late in day; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 88 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Cypress Lake: 86 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good in 2 - 8' depths on worms, crickets and stinkbaits; bluegill and redear sunfish fair in 1 - 3' depths on jigs, worms and crickets; crappie slow in 1 - 3' depths on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass slow in 1 - 3' depths on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 85 degrees, low, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; bluegill, redear sunfish and warmouth sunfish fair on jigs and crickets; all other species slow.  Note: boaters be aware of tree stumps due to low water levels. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms, cut bait and stinkbait; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Perry County Lake: 87 degrees, clear; channel catfish fair on stinkbait; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 93 degrees, dingy; all species slow.  (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 87 degrees, normal, black bass fair on plastic worms and crankbaits early and late; channel catfish fair on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; crappie fair using spider rigs early in the morning; bluegill fair using crickets; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

     RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 81 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on crayfish colored tube baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): low, dingy; black bass fair on topwater lures in early morning; walleye fair on crankbaits; channel catfish fair on live bait and worms; all other species slow.  (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; all species good; black bass best on soft plastics. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): rising, dingy; blue catfish and channel catfish good on worms and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver and cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 87 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on chicken liver, stinkbaits and worms; flathead catfish fair on goldfish and small sunfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

     LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 75-80 degrees, low, clear; Dam Area - bluegill fair on crickets and earthworms; black bass fair on soft plastics and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm, temp is 88-92 - black bass fair on soft plastics and nightcrawlers; bluegill fair on crickets and earthworms; catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 55 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on orange glo balls being drifted with the current, olive, black/white marabou jigs and flies; trout good in lower portion of lake on Gulp Power Eggs in orange, white and pink colors, nightcrawlers, live minnows and corn. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 88 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in deeper water over structure; black bass fair on deep diving lures, spinnerbaits and Texas rigged worms off of deep drop-offs and rocky bluffs; catfish fair on cut bait using trotlines or jug lines; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Stockton Lake: 85 degrees, low, clear; black bass fair on topwater jigs in early morning; catfish fair on liver and earthworms from the banks off coves and points; crappie slow, best on minnows in 15 - 25' of water; walleye slow, best on artificial worms in 30' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 87 degrees, low, dingy; black bass fair on deep diving crankbaits in shad, blue/silver or dark blue colors, work the lure back and forth next to underwater structure, chunk rock banks that have deep drop offs are best; crappie fair on minnows or small soft plastic tube jigs around slightly submerged timber in 20' of water and around boat docks; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/6/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 86 degrees, low, clear; black bass good on deep running crankbaits, tube baits, drop shot or spoons in 28 - 35' of water around brush piles or structure, especially good in early morning around any kind of structure or on topwater lures where there are shad; crappie good on live minnows or small plastics on standing timber or around brush piles in 15 - 25' of water and by using lights at night; flathead catfish good on small bluegill; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers or chicken livers; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water or around cover; walleye slow, best on crankbaits or nightcrawlers on main river points. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

     RIVERS

James River: 86 degrees, low, clear; black bass are in summer pattern, good on drop shot with spoons and soft plastic jigs and live earthworms, also try buzzbaits over brush and in shallow water; catfish good on bait fish, cut bait and earthworms on pole and line or trotlines; white bass slow, best on crankbaits with 1/2 oz. spoons, white is best color; crappie slow, best on jigs and minnows around brush in 5 - 15' of water. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Niangua River: 72 degrees, low, clear; trout fair, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; goggle-eye slow, best on natural baits and soft plastics; black bass slow, best on soft plastics and natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

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ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

     LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: Lake 33 is under construction for dam repairs, no boats available. During aeration operation we will close Lake 33 to public use due to concerns for public safety. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 82 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish slow on cut bait, worms, doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass slow on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 8/9/2012)

     RIVERS

Big River: 84 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits and cut baits; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 88 degrees, low, clear; all species slow.  (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 86 degrees, low, dingy; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 84 degrees, low, clear; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 85 degrees, low, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, livers and live sunfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

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TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is low and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: olive colored roaches; John Deere colored, grey deere colored and white floss colored mini-jigs; cream colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; moss colored and powderpuff pink colored marabou jigs;  red colored and purple colored brassies; shiny black colored and bumblebee colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored, pink colored and red and white colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: pink colored and pink and white colored plastic worms; white colored Power Baits and minnows; August fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, fishing is good; use very light weight line and tackle as the water is extremely low and very clear; fish are holding in shady areas and swift water below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success; orange, green, and red trout worms are producing well; feather jigs in dark colors are producing good numbers of fish; tightlining doughbait (salmon flavor) is producing fish in the late afternoon; fishing hours for the month of August are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Report made on 8/8/2012)

Montauk State Park: 60 degrees, the river level is below normal and slowly dropping, but the river is still easily fishable; the water is clear; 2 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; look for fish to be staying in deeper or shaded areas; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; most flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, olive colors and other dark colors are working well; the best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. August fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 8/9/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, clear; storm damage from August 3rd has been cleaned up; all areas are open for fishing; the river is getting very low; conditions are typical of late summer; use 2 pound test or lighter; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets; Kids Fishing Day is August 18th. (Report made on 8/9/2012)

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MDC to host blue catfish-management open houses

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Come to learn what MDC has in mind and express your opinion.

CAMDENTON–Anglers can bring questions and advice about blue-catfish regulations to open houses sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) next month.

The open houses will deal with possible regulation changes at Truman Reservoir and Lake of the Ozarks. Open-house dates are:

· Aug. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Mid-County Fire Protection District meeting room, 184 N. Business Rt. 5, Camdenton

· Aug. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Gymnasium, 209 E. Jefferson St., Clinton

· Aug. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Warsaw Lincoln EMS Station, 1206 Medic Drive, Warsaw

Participants can come and go at any time with the open-house format. They can ask questions of MDC staff and express their ideas about the potential changes at the events or take comment cards and send them in later. Those who cannot attend the open houses can express their preferences at mdc.mo.gov/node/18097.

Since the early 1990s, anglers and MDC biologists have expressed concerns about the declining number of larger blue catfish being caught from Truman Reservoir. In a survey, more than a third of Truman Reservoir anglers said they thought the quality of catfishing had declined. A study at Truman Reservoir from 2004 to 2009 confirmed anglers’ concerns by showing that blue catfish 24 inches and larger were being harvested at an extremely high rate. Similar concerns have emerged more recently at Lake of the Ozarks.

Blue catfish frequently grow to 60 pounds and can exceed 100 pounds. Both Truman Reservoir and Lake of the Ozarks contain adequate to excessive numbers of smaller blue catfish. However, heavy harvest of blue catfish 24 inches and larger is not allowing them to reach the larger sizes desired by many anglers.

In response to these facts and anglers concerns, MDC developed potential regulation changes to address the problem. It presented those ideas during at stakeholder meetings in Camdenton, Clinton and Warsaw in 2010. Most public comments at that time favored implementing the potential changes. MDC modified the original proposal in response to concerns expressed by stakeholders.

Regulation changes now under consideration include:

· Increasing the daily limit from five to 10 blue catfish. This would allow anglers to take home more fish.

· Adding a protected slot-length limit for medium-size blue catfish of 24 to 32 inches (5 to 13 pounds), 25 to 33 inches (6 to 15 pounds) or 26 to 34 inches (7 to 16 pounds). This would allow medium-size blue catfish to reach larger sizes.

· Allowing the harvest of one or two blue catfish above the protected slot-length limit. This would enable anglers to harvest or catch and release larger fish.

The changes would affect blue catfish at the two lakes and their tributaries, including the no-boating zone below Truman Dam.

Open houses are one way MDC works with citizens to keep Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

-Jim Low-

Related articles

• MDC considering striper stocking (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/28/2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/21/2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/7/2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/14/2012 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

MDC considering striper stocking

Additional feedback from anglers, plus biological data, will

determine the future of the increasingly popular fishery at Bull Shoals Lake.

THEODOSIA–The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is continuing to assess the potential for stocking a limited number of striped bass in Bull Shoals Lake and welcomes additional comments from anglers regarding this striped-bass fishery.

The main portion of Bull Shoals Lake lies in Arkansas, but several of the lake’s arms extend north across the state line into Ozark and Taney counties in Missouri. Missouri anglers have enjoyed the benefits of a one-time stocking of 19,000 striped bass – commonly called stripers – by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) in 1998. Some of the survivors of that stocking now weigh nearly 70 pounds – record-class fish on either side of the state line. Missouri’s current pole-and-line record for striped bass is a 60-pound, 9-ounce fish caught at Bull Shoals Lake last June.

 “This fishery has received national attention and has gotten very popular with anglers,” says MDC Fisheries Field Operations Chief Brian Canaday. “Any time you consider starting a stocking program, there are a lot of factors to consider, and we try to be sure we cover all those bases first.”

Canaday says factors MDC is considering include cost, likelihood of success, angler preferences, public opinion and lake ecology.

“You might think this decision would be simple,” says Canaday. “Striper fishing is very popular with some anglers. We want to accommodate that demand if possible, but first we need solid biological data coupled with public input to help make the right decisions.”

Throughout the decision-making process, says Canaday, MDC will continue to work with the AGFC to manage border waters like Bull Shoals for the citizens of both states.

MDC and AGFC held several open-house meetings in the past 18 months to gauge angler opinions about striper stocking. MDC plans to seek further angler input and gather more biological information before making a final decision.

Striped bass are native to the eastern United States. They spend their adult lives in the Atlantic Ocean and swim upstream to spawn in rivers along the East Coast. Artificial culture of striped bass began as a means of sustaining the species in waters upstream from dams, which stopped their spawning runs. The species now is widely stocked in reservoirs throughout the United States.

MDC currently manages striper fisheries at Norfork Lake and Lake of the Ozarks. Because stripers do not reproduce naturally in reservoirs like Bull Shoals, periodic stockings are required to sustain these inland fisheries. If MDC does decide to stock stripers at Bull Shoals Lake, it likely would do so every other year, using fingerling fish reared at an MDC hatchery.

Anglers can express their opinions about possible striper stocking by contacting MDC’s West Plains Regional Office, 551 Joe Jones Blvd., West Plains, MO  65775.  You also can comment at mdc.mo.gov/contact-us/contact-form by selecting the “Fish, Fishing & Fisheries” topic.

Weekly Fishing Report, 6/21/2012

Largemouth bass ( (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  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.



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CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

    LAKES

Binder Lake: 78 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits;  bluegill fair on crickets and worms;  largemouth bass fair on topwater lures and soft plastics;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 80 degrees, low, clear; all species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 79 degrees, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; white bass slow on light colored soft plastics and spoons; crappie fair on  minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on bluegill, chicken livers and stinkbaits. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 79 degrees, dingy; black bass and catfish fair; crappie and white bass slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 79 degrees, clear; black bass good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; catfish good on worms and live bait; white bass slow on soft plastics; sunfish good on worms.
 (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 79 degrees, clear; black bass good using soft plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits; crappie fair using jigs with Crappie Nibbles and minnows; catfish good using cut bait and live bluegill; white bass slow, try using light colored soft plastics; sunfish good using worms. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 79 degrees, low, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures;  bluegill good on crickets; channel catfish fair on chicken liver and earthworms; all other species slow; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: 3' low;  all species slow.

 (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Missouri River (middle): low, muddy; channel catfish good on worms and stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on live goldfish and bluegill;  blue catfish fair on cut baits;  rough fish fair on nightcrawlers;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 79 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow on dark colored soft plastics and worms; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow on crappie jigs and minnows; catfish fair on chicken livers, stinkbaits and worms.
 (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 79 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow on dark colored soft plastics and worms; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow on crappie jigs and minnows; catfish fair on chicken livers, stinkbaits and worms.
 (Report made on 6/20/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 80 degrees, low, clear;  all species fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 78 degrees, clear; full pool; channel catfish good; largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Montrose Lake: 82 degrees, normal, dingy; catfish and crappie slow; white bass fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 81 degrees, low, dingy; all species fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Truman Lake: 78 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on flats and isolated trees on minnows and jigs; black bass good on buzzbaits and worms; white bass fair around the dam area on shad; catfish good on main channels on fresh cut bait. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 75 degrees, normal, clear; all species slow.  (Report made on 6/20/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 70-80 degrees, water level elevated; flathead catfish good; all other catfish fair  using cut bait and crayfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 79 degrees, low, clear; bluegill fair using earthworms; largemouth bass fair using spinnerbaits and Rebel lures; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 75 degrees, low, dingy; crappie good near structure and rocks; channel catfish fair on leeches, liver, stinkbaits and shrimp; hybrid striped bass fair off points with shad style lures; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Mark Twain: 70 degrees, normal, clear; white bass fair on Rooster Tails and small plastic jigs trolling on flats and points; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Sever: 84 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits, bluegill fair on mealworms and small poppers, black bass fair on mid-range crankbaits and jig and pig, all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 76 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on Hwy. T rocks and deeper water brush piles using both jigs and minnows; channel catfish good; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 81 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on nightcrawlers and live baits; blue catfish good on cut baits and live baits; carp fair on corn and doughbaits; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 78 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 76 degrees, low, clear; black bass and channel catfish fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Lake Paho: 79 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good in the evening hours on stinkbaits, nightcrawlers and chicken liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 75 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish, black bass and bluegill good, walleye and crappie fair. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 75 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish good on cut bait and worms; largemouth bass good on spinners and crankbaits; all other species fair.

 (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Smithville Lake: 77 degrees, low, clear; crappie fair in 10 - 12' of water around brush piles using white, purple and chartreuse jigs with or without minnows; black bass fair on topwater lures or near brush using jigs; catfish good in shallow water on prepared baits and crayfish; white bass good on windy points or trolling using crankbaits or shad style baits; walleye fair on points and flats using worms and leeches. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 74 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish good, blue catfish and flathead catfish slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 75 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish good using worms or dip baits; flathead catfish good using worms and live bait; blue catfish fair using cut baits or worms; carp good on worms. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 81 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastics; channel and flathead catfish fair on trotlines. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Norfork Lake: 80 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastics; channel and flathead catfish fair on trotlines. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 74 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 75 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on live bait and soft plastics. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Bryant Creek: 75 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Current River: 73 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass good on plastic worms; suckers good on nightcrawlers. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Eleven Point River: 62 degrees, low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 75 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 79 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Jacks Fork: 71 degrees, low, clear; all species good on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 66 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 81 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on artificial lures in early morning and late evening; channel catfish fair on jug lines and limb lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 79 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on liver and worms; largemouth bass fair on dark colored soft plastics during low light periods; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Cypress Lake: 79 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms, crickets and stinkbaits in 2 - 8' of water; bluegill and redear sunfish fair on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' of water; largemouth bass slow on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' of water; crappie slow on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' of water. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 80 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Lake Girardeau: 79 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on crickets; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics and worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Perry County Lake: 82 degrees, clear; redear sunfish good on crickets; channel catfish good on liver; largemouth bass good on crankbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 85 degrees, normal, channel catfish good on various baits; bluegill good on crickets, wax worms and Crappie Nibbles; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 82 degrees, low, black bass good on crankbaits and plastic worms early and late; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 75 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, low, dingy; black bass good on buzzbaits early morning and late evening; flathead catfish good on live bait and worms; channel catfish fair; walleye fair on crankbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): 78 degrees, normal, muddy; blue catfish good on worms and cut bait; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on livers and cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 81 degrees, low, dingy; bluegill good on earthworms and crickets; black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on liver, stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; flathead catfish fair on goldfish and green sunfish;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 70-74 degrees, normal, clear; Dam Area - walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; black bass fair on soft plastics and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and nightcrawlers; crappie fair on minnows; walleye fair on nightcrawlers; bluegill fair on crickets and earthworms; catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on black, olive and white colored marabou jigs, orange and chartreuse glo balls also working well; trout good in lower portion of lake on orange, chartreuse, bubblegum, pink and white Power Bait, corn and nightcrawlers. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 82 degrees, high, clear; crappie good on minnows and jigs in 10 - 25' of water over structure; black bass good on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs in the back of coves and in structure; walleye fair on bottom bouncers and jig and minnow or jig and earthworm combinations off of points; catfish fair on cut bait using trotlines or jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Stockton Lake: 76 degrees, normal, dingy; walleye good on plastic worms while trolling in about 30' of water; catfish good on chicken livers and earthworms near the shoreline; crappie fair on minnows in 20 - 25' of water; black bass fair on chartreuse jerkbaits on flats in 20 - 35' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 74 degrees, low, dingy; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, hula grubs, tube baits and extra large plastic worms, pumpkin, watermelon, motor oil, and plum colors working well, top water lures in early morning working very well, cast close to submerged treetops; catfish good on nightcrawlers, cut shad, small live sunfish and chicken liver; bluegill good on live earthworms and crickets or small soft plastic tube jigs, use natural cricket color or black, red and white with 1/8 oz. jig head; white bass good on shallow diving crankbaits, find surfacing fish in late evening and cast into the middle of them; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 80 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good in early morning on deep running crankbaits, tube baits, drop shot or spoons in 20 - 25' of water around brush piles and docks; crappie good on live minnows or small plastics in standing timber or brush piles in 15 - 20' of water and by using lights after dark; flathead catfish good on small bluegill; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and chicken liver; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water or around cover. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 81 degrees, falling, clear; black bass good on soft plastics, plastic worms and live earthworms, drop shot in 30' of water; white bass good on white 1/2 oz. spoons in 20 - 25' of water and while trolling with a 3-way swivel and deep diving crankbait with soft plastics above; catfish good on bait fish, cut baits and earthworms using pole and line or trotlines; crappie slow, best around brush in 10 - 25' of water. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Niangua River: 66 degrees, normal, clear; trout fair, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; goggle-eye fair, best on natural baits and soft plastics; black bass fair, best on soft plastics and natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/20/2012)

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ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 76 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on livers, worms and blood bait; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow; please remove litter.
 (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 77 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on cut bait, worms, doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 6/21/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 77 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver and cut bait; black bass slow on crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 78 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on blood baits and cut bait; black bass fair on crankbaits; bluegill good on crickets; all other species slow.
 (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 77 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish fair on minnows and worms; black bass good on spinners, topwater lures and soft plastics; bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 78 degrees, low, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and worms; black bass fair on topwater lures; carp good on corn; drum good on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 78 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and live sunfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

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TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is about normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: olive colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; cream colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; black and yellow colored and gingersnap colored marabou jigs; crayfish colored and rainbow trout colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored and hatchery brown colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: black and yellow colored plastic worms; white colored and yellow colored Power Baits, salmon eggs. Fishing hours for June are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will be cutting weeds on June 26 and 27.  We will begin at 8:00 a.m. and finish by 3:00 p.m. each day.  We thank you for your patience. (Report made on 6/19/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 56 degrees, fishing is good; the water is extremely low and very clear; use very light weight line and tackle; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in dark colors are producing good numbers of fish; orange, green, and red trout worms are producing well; fish are holding in shady areas and swift water below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success;  fishing hours for the month of June are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly below normal; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well; the best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. June fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 6/20/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, clear; the river is getting very low; conditions are similar to late summer; use 2 pound test or lighter; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets.  (Report made on 6/21/2012)

Related articles

• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/14/2012

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• Oklahoma FISHING REPORT FOR JUNE 20, 2012

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Weekly Fishing Report, 6/14/2012

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 
CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

    LAKES

Binder Lake: 73 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on cut baits and stinkbaits;  bluegill good on crickets;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 79 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 79 degrees, dingy; black bass fair on buzzbaits, crankbaits and dark colored soft plastic worms; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair using minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on bluegill, worms and chicken livers.
 (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 76 degrees, dingy; black bass and catfish fair; crappie and white bass slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 76 degrees, dingy; black bass good on soft plastics and jerkbaits; crappie slow on jigs; catfish good on cut baits and liver; white bass slow on soft plastics; sunfish fair on worms.
 (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 76 degrees, dingy; black bass good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits; crappie slow on jigs and minnows; catfish fair on cut bait; white bass slow on light colored soft plastics; sunfish fair on worms.
 (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 77 degrees, low, clear; largemouth bass good on topwater lures; channel catfish fair on chicken liver; bluegill fair on earthworms; all other species slow; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: 3' low;  all species slow.

 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Missouri River (middle): low, muddy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits;  flathead catfish fair on live bait;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and worms; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish fair on chicken livers, cut shad, stinkbaits and worms.
 (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and worms; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish fair on chicken livers, cut shad, stinkbaits and worms.
 (Report made on 6/13/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 76 degrees, low, clear; catfish good; all other species fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 76 degrees, clear; full pool; channel catfish and largemouth bass good; bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Montrose Lake: 74 degrees, low, dingy; catfish slow; crappie slow; white bass fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 77 degrees, low, dingy; catfish good; all other species fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Truman Lake: 77 degrees, low, clear; crappie good on flats on minnows; black bass good on worms and tube baits; white bass fair around the dam area on shad; catfish good on main lake on fresh cut bait. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 74 degrees, normal, clear; all species fair.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 69-74 degrees, falling, water level expected to drop a foot by Sunday; catfish good using cut bait and nightcrawlers; crappie biting in blue holes off small creeks near river; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 74 degrees, low, clear; crappie good using tube jigs in 10' of water in standing timber; bluegill good using earthworms; channel catfish good using doughbait; largemouth bass good using buzzbaits; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 74 degrees, low, dingy; crappie good along rocks and under bridges; channel catfish good with bobber using shrimp, worms, leeches and bluegill; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Mark Twain: 70 degrees, normal, clear; white bass fair on Rooster Tails and small plastic jigs trolling on flats and points; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Sever: 75 degrees, low, clear; bluegill good on crickets; channel catfish good on liver and cut baits; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and jerkbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 75 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair along Hwy. T rocks and deeper water brush piles using jigs and minnows; channel catfish fair on setlines in the areas away from Brush Creek but 8 - 10" fish are common; all other species slow.   (Report made on 6/14/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 79 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; flathead catfish good on live baits; blue catfish fair on live baits and cut baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 75 degrees, normal, dingy; drum good on nightcrawlers; carp good on nightcrawlers; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/14/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 78 degrees, low, clear; black bass and channel catfish fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Lake Paho: 76 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good adjacent to flooded vegetation in coves; channel catfish good on commercial baits and chicken liver. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 77 degrees, low, clear; crappie good over deep brush; black bass good on topwater lures in early morning; channel catfish good on cut bluegill. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 73 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish good on cut bait and worms; bluegill are not large (5 - 7”) but they are still spawning and can be easily caught on worms; largemouth bass good on spinners and crankbaits; all other species fair.

 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Smithville Lake: 73 degrees, falling, clear; black bass fair in early morning and late evening; channel catfish good on live bait; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 72 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish good, blue catfish and flathead catfish slow. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 73 degrees, high, muddy; all species fair. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 81 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastics; channel and flathead catfish fair on trotlines. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Norfork Lake: 80 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastics; channel and flathead catfish fair on trotlines. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 74 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass good on crankbaits and jigs; channel catfish slow on live bait. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 75 degrees, normal, clear; black bass and goggle-eye fair on live bait and soft plastics. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Bryant Creek: 75 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Current River: 74 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Eleven Point River: 61 degrees, low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 74 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass good on crankbaits and jigs; channel catfish slow on live bait. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 79 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Jacks Fork: 71 degrees, low, clear; all species good on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 66 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 80 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on artificial lures in early morning and late evening; channel catfish fair on jug lines and limb lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 76 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on liver and worms; largemouth bass fair on dark colored soft plastics during low light periods; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Cypress Lake: 82 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms, crickets and stinkbaits in 2 - 8' of water; bluegill and redear sunfish fair on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' of water; largemouth bass fair on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' of water; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 78 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on spinners and plastic worms, bluegill good on jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill good on crickets; largemouth bass and channel catfish good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Perry County Lake: 80 degrees, dingy; redear sunfish good on crickets; channel catfish good on liver; largemouth bass fair on crankbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 85 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish spawning and can be caught using bluegill fishing methods; bluegill good on crickets and Crappie Nibbles; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/12/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 79 degrees, low, black bass good on crankbaits early and late; bluegill good on crickets and worms near the brush; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 74 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, low, dingy; black bass fair on minnows and jigs (12" minimum length); channel catfish fair on live bait and worms; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): rising, muddy; blue catfish good on cut bait; flathead catfish fair on cut bait and worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on livers and cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 82 degrees, low, dingy; bluegill good on earthworms and crickets; black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on liver, stinkbaits and nightcrawlers; flathead catfish fair on goldfish and green sunfish;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 68-72 degrees, normal, dingy; Dam Area - walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; black bass fair on soft plastics and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and nightcrawlers; crappie fair on minnows; walleye fair on nightcrawlers; bluegill fair on crickets and earthworms; catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on 1/16 oz. olive, black or white colored marabou jigs, orange and chartreuse glo balls, scuds and midges also working well; trout good in lower portion of lake on orange, pink and white Gulp power eggs. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 78 degrees, high, clear; crappie good on minnows and jigs in 10 - 25' of water over structure; black bass good on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs in the back of coves and in structure; walleye fair on bottom bouncers and jig and minnow or jig and earthworm combinations off of points; catfish fair on cut bait using trotlines or jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Stockton Lake: 76 degrees, high, dingy; catfish good on liver or earthworms from banks off coves and points; crappie slow, best on minnows in 20 - 25' of water; black bass slow, best on jerkbaits in various colors, mainly chartreuse, blue, and white; walleye slow, best on artificial worms in 30' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 72 degrees, low, dingy; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, hula grubs, tube baits and extra large plastic worms, pumpkin, watermelon, motor oil, and plum colors working well; catfish good on nightcrawlers, cut shad, small live sunfish and chicken liver; bluegill good on live earthworms and crickets or small soft plastic tube jigs, use natural cricket color or black, red and white with 1/8 oz. jig head; white bass fair on spoons and topwater lures on mud flats in the early morning and early evening; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 78 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on deep running crankbaits, football style jigs or spoons in 20 - 25' of water around brush piles and docks where baitfish are schooling; crappie good on live minnows or small plastics over standing timber or brush piles in 15 - 20' of water; flathead catfish good on small bluegill; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water and around cover. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 80 degrees, falling, clear; black bass good on buzzbaits in early morning, and football jigs, Carolina rigs with soft plastics and crayfish trailers later in the day; catfish good on cut bait and earthworms using pole and line and trotlines; crappie good on green pumpkin jigs and minnows around brush in 6 - 10' of water. (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Niangua River: 66 degrees, normal, clear; trout fair, best on soft plastics and natural baits below Bennett Spring; goggle-eye fair, best on natural baits and soft plastics; black bass fair, best on natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/12/2012)

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ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on livers, worms and blood bait; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow; please remove litter.
 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on cut bait, worms, doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 77 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver and cut bait; black bass slow on crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 78 degrees, normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on blood baits and cut bait; black bass fair on crankbaits; bluegill good on crickets; all other species slow.
 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 76 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish fair on minnows and worms; black bass good on spinners, topwater lures and soft plastics; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 78 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and worms; black bass fair on topwater lures; carp fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 77 degrees, normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and live sunfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

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TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is about normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: white colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; cream colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; brown and yellow colored and black and white colored marabou jigs; bumblebee colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored and red and white colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: pink and white colored plastic worms; white colored and yellow colored Power Baits, salmon eggs. Fishing hours for June are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will be cutting weeds on June 26 and 27.  We will begin at 8:00 a.m. and finish by 3:00 p.m. each day.  We thank you for your patience. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, fishing is good; the water is extremely low and very clear; use very light weight line and tackle; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in dark colors are producing good numbers of fish; orange, green, and red trout worms are producing well; fish are holding in shady areas and swift water below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success;  fishing hours for the month of June are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly below normal; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well; the best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. June fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 6/14/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, clear; the river is getting low; use 2 pound test or lighter; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets.  (Report made on 6/13/2012)

Related articles

• Weekly Fishing Report, 6/7/2012

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