MDC reminds travelers that fishing in Branson area is still good

COVID-19 hasn't hampered angling success at Table Rock and Taneycomo.

BRANSON, Mo. – Due to COVID-19, this summer’s travel plans are tied to numbers. The number of new COVID cases, the number of recovering cases, and the percentage of increase are all figures vacationers look at as they plot their summer destinations.

Here are some numbers the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants travelers planning a trip to the Branson area to look at:

• More than 1,400 – the number of fish habitat structures added to Table Rock Lake between 2008 and 2013 to improve fishing.
• 575,000 – the number of trout stocked annually in Lake Taneycomo
• 40 pounds, 6 ounces – the size of the state-record brown trout caught at Taneycomo last year.

While many aspects of summer travel have changed for 2020, these numbers are clear indicators that fishing is still fine in the Branson area.

“Fishing has been outstanding in Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo this year,” said Shane Bush, the fisheries management biologist who manages both reservoirs for MDC. “High water over the past few years has improved both the number and the sizes of fish in both lakes. Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of quality-size bass and bluegill in Table Rock right now, as well as very good numbers of large rainbow and brown trout in Taneycomo.”

The fishing appeal of Table Rock and Taneycomo is no secret – it made the Branson area a vacation destination long before music shows, magic acts, and other entertainment venues arrived on the Taney County scene. The angling attraction of these reservoirs still exists today and is more vital than ever to people who are seeking alternatives to the normal summer vacation treks to Branson.

Table Rock Lake

For those seeking rod and reel relaxation on Table Rock, this 43,100-acre U.S Army Corps of Engineers lake provides opportunities for several species. MDC electrofishing surveys indicate good populations of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as crappie, walleye, bluegill, goggle-eye, channel catfish and several other sportfish species.

The six-year habitat project that was completed at Table Rock in 2013 has made a good fishing spot even better. This project, which was a cooperative effort of MDC. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bass Pro Shops, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission involved the placement of more than 1,400 fish habitat structures in the form of brush piles, stump fields and rock piles at select sites around the lake.

“The fish habitat project has improved angler catch rates in Table Rock Lake by congregating fish and making it easier for anglers to locate and catch them,” Bush said. “The structures also provide good habitat for young fish to escape predation, which further helps to improve the fish populations.”

An interactive fish habitat map of these structures is available on the MDC website at http://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/where-fish. These structures can also be found using MDC's MO Fishing App, which is available to download for free on a smartphone.

Lake Taneycomo

Taneycomo’s trout story started in 1959 when the construction of Table Rock Dam created a large, deep, and winding lake east of the Table Rock reservoir. (Lake Taneycomo, which is owned by Liberty Utilities, flows along the course of what was once the White River.) The water in Lake Taneycomo stays cool even during summer, because of cold-water discharges from the bottom of Table Rock Dam during hydro-electric generation. In effect, Taneycomo is a super-sized trout stream.

In addition to sufficient habitat and good temperatures, Taneycomo offers trout an abundant food supply. Among the creatures that flourish on the rocky bottom of the lake are amphipods – more commonly known as freshwater shrimp. These small crustaceans are one of the lake’s most common organisms and a favorite food of rainbow trout and younger brown trout.

Bountiful food supplies lead to good growth rates, but Taneycomo’s big-fish stories have to do with chromosomes as well as crustaceans. MDC biologists have introduced triploid brown trout into Taneycomo. Triploid fish have three sets of chromosomes as a result of coming from eggs that are pressure shocked. (Trout in the wild have two sets of chromosomes and are diploid). The triploid process makes fish sterile and, as a result, they spend more of their energy on growth than on reproduction.

The 40-pound, 6-ounce state-record fish caught last September smashed the previous state record of 34-10, which was caught in February of 2019, also at Taneycomo. This fish caught in February broke the previous state record for brown trout by six pounds. That means, in a single year, Taneycomo fish had raised the state record weight for brown trout by a whopping 12 pounds – a clear sign trout are doing well in Taneycomo.

“Trout fishing on Taneycomo has been exemplary,” said Clint Hale, who manages MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, which grows and stocks Taneycomo’s rainbow and brown trout. “Two state-record brown trout were caught last year and there are more records in the lake as we speak.”

People can get more information on fishing at Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake and elsewhere in the state at mdc.mo.gov/fishing.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions

When fishing or enjoying other outdoor pursuits, remember to follow all the current health guidelines. These include:

• Avoid crowded places
• Stay at least six feet apart from others.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Bring water, soap, and hand sanitizer.
• Be considerate of others you may encounter when you’re out.

MDC congratulates Strafford man on new record quillback

For more on state-record fish, visit mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates

David Weaver of Strafford on his new state-record quillback caught from Lake Taneycomo by bowfishing on Aug. 23. The 7-pound-10-ounce fish qualifies for a state record in the alternative method category.

The previous record of 6 pounds, 10 ounces was set this spring at Bull Shoals. The new state record is larger than the current world record by more than a pound, but does not qualify because world records only recognize fish taken by pole and line.

For more info on the quillback, visit nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=342.

For more on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

Neosho National Fish Hatchery Wins DOI Environmental Achievement Award

Assistant Secretary Rhea Suh has announced that the Midwest Region's Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Missouri is a recipient of the 2013 Department of Interior Environmental Achievement Award. A model of sustainability, the Visitor Center was nominated in the “Building the Future” award category.

Awards recognize departmental employees and partners who have attained exceptional achievements under Executive Order 13514 “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance” and for cleaning up contaminated land.  The Award categories are:  Sustainability Hero; Green Innovation; Lean, Clean and Green; Good Neighbor; Green Dream Team; Building the Future; and Environmental Remediation. 

An interdisciplinary panel of reviewers from the Department’s bureaus and offices evaluated nominations to recommend Award recipients and honorable mentions.  The panel is chaired by the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.

Neosho National Fish Hatchery was established in 1888 and is the oldest operating federal fish hatchery. The hatchery encompasses approximately 18 acres in the heart of the town of Neosho, Missouri, due to availability of excellent-quality spring water. It raises endangered pallid sturgeon for recovery efforts in the lower Missouri River and rainbow trout for stocking in Lake Taneycomo. It supports conservation of the endangered Ozark cavefish and restoration of native mussels. Now more than 20 years after the hatchery’s centennial, this new high-performance 9,839 square-foot Visitor Center, which is the first Service building to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating officially from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), opened in December 2010. Energy efficiency strategies used throughout the building include a cool roof, day lighting, low-e glazed windows, energy-efficient lighting and a 31.13 ton geothermal heat pump. The Visitor Center is architecturally designed to mimic the original headquarters from 1888, which featured similar onion dome and witches hat roof styles.

Autumn is a great time for trout fishing

Missouri’s trout parks, streams, and lakes are more beautiful than ever right now.

SPRINGFIELD – Note to trout anglers: Just because leaves are changing colors and your friends are talking about hunting deer, ducks, or small game doesn’t mean you have to put your fishing gear away.

Courtesy MDC

Trout fishing is hardly a secret in Missouri, but for many people, it’s not in the spotlight in autumn like it was back on March 1 when thousands of anglers participated in the state’s annual trout park opener. At this time of year, many people are planning hunting trips or are trying to squeeze in a couple more trips to the lake before winter fishing patterns – and winter temperatures – set in. For many, this will involve outings where adults can pass on their knowledge and love of the outdoors to children and grandchildren. For others, it means finding solitude and getting away from computers, meetings, and other stressors of work.

All this leads back to trout. Even though (to paraphrase Robert Frost) trout fishing is the road not frequently taken in terms of outdoor choices at this time of year, a trout-fishing trip can provide outdoor entertainment and tasty table fare for nature-lovers of all ages.

“Fall is a good time to fish the trout streams in Missouri,” said Craig Fuller, Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries biologists who oversees trout-management areas at Bennett Spring State Park and on the Niangua River. “You have nice weather, a lack of recreational float traffic, beautiful fall colors, usually stable and clear stream flows, and trout are actively feeding as they get ready for winter.”

The same holds true for Missouri’s four trout parks.

“Typically, October has fewer anglers than the summer months of June, July, and August,” said Mike Mitchell, who manages the MDC hatchery at Bennett Spring State Park in Laclede and Dallas counties. “The lower angler turn-out can make for a peaceful fishing experience. Water clarity during October is very good, which allows anglers to see the fish better. Fall colors and cooler weather make for a beautiful backdrop.”

The summer fishing season at Missouri’s four trout parks – Bennett Spring State Park, Roaring River State Park, Montauk State Park, and Maramec Spring Park – runs through Oct. 31. Fishing hours at the parks are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. A daily trout tag is required to fish at the parks.
Don’t worry – those who fish the trout parks in October won’t have to settle for summer’s left-overs. The streams at all four parks are stocked daily (based on predicted anger attendance) through the end of the month. That means, in October, approximately 30,000 fish are stocked at Bennett Spring, Roaring River, and Montauk, and 10,000 are put into the water at Maramec Spring. The size of the fish trout-park anglers can catch range from 12-inch stockers to lunkers that weigh between three and eight pounds.

After the trout parks’ summer seasons end October 31, all four areas will re-open for the winter catch-and-release season, which runs from November 8 through February 10. As the season’s name states, it is for catch-and-release fishing only – no trout may be kept.

Not all the trout parks are open every day during this season. The three state parks (Bennett Spring, Roaring River, and Montauk) are open for fishing on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Maramec Spring Park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. During the winter season at the trout parks, you don’t need to buy a daily trout park tag when you fish. You will need a trout permit and, if you are age 16 through 64, a Missouri fishing permit.

Lake Taneycomo in Taney County is another well-known Missouri trout fishery that is a great place to fish in the fall. As is the case with trout parks, trout stocking continues at Taneycomo at this time of year. (The lake is stocked each month throughout the year.) In October, more than 60,000 trout are put into the lake. Anglers can also visit Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery at the west end of Taneycomo (just below Table Rock dam) to learn how trout are raised.

If none of this has caught your fishing fancy, don’t forget about Missouri’s trout streams. There are several Ozarks streams that, because of suitable habitat conditions, are capable of sustaining trout populations. Under the Conservation Department’s trout management plan, these trout streams are categorized as either white ribbon trout areas, red ribbon trout areas or blue ribbon trout areas. The differences between the classifications have to do with differences in regulations and management strategies. Like the trout parks and Taneycomo, some trout streams also receive fall stockings.
“Managed trout streams get stocked at different rates and some get stocked more frequently than others,” Fuller said. “But, yes, there are trout-managed streams that get stocked in the fall.” As an example, Fuller said the Niangua River White Ribbon Trout Area gets stocked every month of the year with rainbow trout, From October through February, its gets stocked twice a month. Anglers are reminded that they need to purchase a trout permit to possess trout on Missouri’s white, red or blue ribbon trout streams and to fish at Lake Taneycomo upstream from the U.S. Highway 65 Bridge.
More information about trout-fishing opportunities in Missouri can be found at your nearest Conservation Department office or at www.missouriconservation.org.

Related articles

• North Dakota Trout Stocking Announced (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Iowa Fall Trout Stocking Begins October 11 (family-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Trout Fishing Taneycomo - Part III of the Missouri Trout Fishing Series

Trout Fishing Lake Taneycomo

In Part I of this series we first made the case that Missouri has some pretty great fishing trout fishing options and outlined the categories and briefly introduced a few of them.  In Part II, we went to the Current River for some trout fishing in the heart of Missouri’s Ozarks.  Now we will take a peak at the pre-eminent option for lake trout fishing in Missouri – Taneycomo.

The fishing at Lake Taneycomo has become world famous for one primary reason, enormous brown trout.  But that should not be the only reason the trout angler should be interested in Taneycomo.  This lake is absolutely loaded with rainbow trout too.  So, this is one of those places where you can catch fish in big numbers and a few big fish as well.  It really is the best of both worlds.

At Taneycomo, there are also a couple of different basic approaches which we will delve into as we go. But first, a basic understanding of the structure and history of Taneycomo is in order. A basic understanding of some of its features will help you better understand how to catch fish using the method of you’re choosing.

First of all, Taneycomo has been around a relatively long time – but for much of that time was not amenable to hosting a trout population.  You see, trout need cold water and Missouri only naturally produces that when streams are spring-fed in a few locations.  The original Taneycomo did not have these features.  The lake was completed in 1913, and until 1958 was just a “regular” Missouri reservoir in most respects.  Taneycomo is a confinement of the White River which has several bottom-fed dams.

The effect of a bottom-fed dam is that the water released is from the depths of the impounded reservoir, and the water that comes out is cold.  Some of the cold water fisheries below these bottom fed dams along the White are riverine fisheries – case-in-point, the great stretch right below Bull Shoals in Arkansas.  Before 1958, there was no bottom-fed dam emptying water into Taneycomo, but that all changed with the completion of Table Rock Reservoir.  Suddenly, millions of gallons of pure fresh water were pouring into Taneycomo, changing radically the fishery.  The Missouri Department of Conservation saw an opportunity, and constructed the Shepherd of the Hills hatchery, and trout fishing changed in Missouri.

Wade-Fishing Taneycomo

Fishing Taneycomo in the tailwater of Table Rock does in fact share some similarities with basic trout park fishing in the fly areas.  In the portion of Taneycomo just below Table Rock, artificials are the only methods permitted.  There is one other extremely important aspect of fishing this portion that should be known.  When the sirens indicate a release from the dam extreme caution should be taken.  Namely, when you hear the siren, it is time to quit fishing and get out of the water. 

For fly fishermen interested in hatches that occur on Taneycomo, there is one word to know – midges.  That’s about it, but they are present just about every day of the year.  Long leaders are a must, and you are presenting right to rising fish.  Sizes 14-18 are about right and a variety of colors are effective.  Try red, yellow, gray, orange, olive, or black.  You might have to try a variety of presentations to find what is working in a particular stretch at a particular time.  Other favorites are woolies in black and olive as well as egg patterns.  One tactic that should not be overlooked is night fishing.  This is when many of the larger browns are caught. 

Boat Fishing for Trout

For boat fishermen on the lower stretches of the lake, a variety of baits and lures are effective.  These include Power Bait, corn, air-injected night crawlers, Rapala Floating F07 in gold/black and silver/black, Little Cleos, and micro-jigs in pink and/or white fished under an indicator.

A couple of other good resources for more in-depth information on trout fishing Taneycomo are at the Family-Outdoor Taneycomo page and landingbigfish.com.  Finally, don’t shoot down the idea of taking a trip or two with a guide from the area.  There are a lot of subtleties that a trip or two with a guide can help you figure out a lot quicker…things that reading about them on a webpage just cannot convey.  There are a bunch of good guides in the area. Check with one of the area tackle shops or fly shops.

Yes, Missouri does have some great places for trout fishermen, and Taneycomo is one of them.  It is certainly a different experience – near Branson and certainly a place filled with much more activity than other Missouri trout fisheries.  It is also a place where it is not out of the realm of possibility that the next world record brown could be caught.  

Related articles

• Trout Fishing on Missouri's Current River (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Missouri Trout Fishing has a lot to Offer (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

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)

----------------------
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)

----------------------
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)

----------------------
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)

----------------------
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)

----------------------
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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