State Parks Youth Corps job fair May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY 4, 2011 -- Young Missourians have an opportunity for a summer job while learning new skills and discovering Missouri state parks and historic sites. Information about this year’s State Parks Youth Corps will be provided at a job fair Saturday, May 14 at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson.

The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the visitor center and museum. Staff will be available to answer questions about the program and what opportunities are available for this year.

            The State Parks Youth Corps will provide jobs for youth 17-21 years of age from April 1 through Nov. 30.  Youth will earn $7.25 an hour and work throughout the state, enhancing and improving Missouri state parks and historic sites. The program also will provide them with work experience and an opportunity to learn new skills and possible careers in natural resources.

Youth corps members will perform a variety of tasks from routine maintenance work and trail construction to guided tours and social media efforts. Examples include painting buildings and repairing roofs and windows; planting trees and maintaining landscapes; building and maintaining trails; inventorying historic artifacts and native species; assisting in offices and visitor centers; and providing tours and programs.

First initiated by Gov. Nixon in 2010, the State Parks Youth Corps is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Missouri Division of State Parks, and Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards. The local boards help recruit and place individual youth in work positions at the parks. Park staffs provide guidance and leadership to the youth workers throughout the summer.

This year’s program is funded by Workforce Investment Act 15 percent funds and youth must meet Workforce Investment Act guidelines, which include low income or other eligibility requirements. Income guidelines vary from an income of $10,890 for a family of one to $37,630 for a family of eight or receiving public assistance or food stamps. Other eligibility requirements include areas such as qualifying as homeless; or being a foster child, school dropout or being deficient in basic literary skills.     

Applications and additional program information, including eligibility guidelines, are available at MO.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit with the local Workforce Investment Boards about eligibility guidelines.  

In 2010, State Parks Youth Corps members at Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site assisted with grounds maintenance, repaired buildings, conducted tours and operated the reception desk at the visitor center. In 2011, job duties may include grounds maintenance, caring for the heirloom garden, painting buildings, conducting tours of the woolen mill and the Watkins family home, and participating in the Living History Farm Program. For information about the job fair, call the park at 816-580-3387. For information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Learn new campfire cooking tips May 14 at Crowder State Park

Image via WikipediaJEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2011 – Are you tired of eating only hot dogs and s’mores when you go camping? Learn new tips for campfire cooking May 14 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. The event, which will begin at 2 p.m., will focus on how to make meals while camping using everything from aluminum foil to Dutch ovens. Samples will be provided for participants. Call the park office at 660-359-6473 to pre-register by May 11.

Crowder State Park is located west of Trenton off Highway 6. For more information about the program and the park, call 660-359-6473 or toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Missouri state park major tour caves open to visitors in 2011

Image via WikipediaJEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 12, 2011 -- Visitors to Missouri state parks this summer will have the opportunity to tour the system's four major tour caves. Many other caves that are commonly used by bats will remain temporarily closed to reduce the risk of spreading white-nose syndrome, a fungus that affects bats but not humans.

White-nose syndrome is a fungus that has devastated bat populations throughout the northeastern United States and is spreading west. Bats showing evidence of the fungus were found in 2010 in two caves in Missouri. Restricting public access to certain caves is believed to help reduce the risk of any people-born transmission of the fungus from cave to cave.

"We have been monitoring this situation closely and have made decisions based on what we believe protects our resources while still allowing visitors some form of access to the unique experience you can only find in caves," said Bill Bryan, Missouri Department of Natural Resources' State Parks director.

The four tour caves that will be open are Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park (open for local school groups and the general public April 15); Cathedral Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park (open to local school groups on April 15 and May 15 to the general public); Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park (open to local school groups on April 16 and May 15 to the general public); and Ozark Caverns at Lake of the Ozarks State Park (open to local school groups on April 16 and May 15 to the general public). To help prevent the risk of human transmission of the fungus from cave to cave, screening measures will remain in place. Visitors who tour the caves are asked to not wear the same clothing, footwear, accessories or equipment that has been in any other cave.

In 2010, most of the park system's wild caves used by bats were closed except for specific exceptions like educational tours and low-risk groups in specified wild caves. While this policy remains in effect, the number of caves that may be accessed for educational and scientific purposes in 2011 has increased.

"This year, we have more clearly identified caves that we believe can be used for certain purposes, especially school groups and other educational efforts. This allows us to provide access to more caves while still protecting the resources," said Bryan. The accessible caves include shorter caves, those that do not have bats, and those caves that have exceptional educational value for schools.

To find out which caves can be accessed, contact the individual park where you would like to visit a cave. For more information about cave tours, visit mostateparks.com/activity/cave-tours.

State park staff will continue to work with other state and federal resource agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, on a management plan to address white-nose syndrome in Missouri state park caves.

Missouri has more than 6,300 caves. Bryan emphasized the agency policy concerning the 183 caves in 18 state parks and historic sites does not apply to other caves in Missouri. Most if not all commercial cave tour operations remain open for business. For information on privately owned caves or those operated by other agencies in Missouri, contact the agency or private business or landowner that owns the cave. Information on other caves can be found at mocaves.com. 

Get Out and Play! May 14 at Washington State Park

Image via WikipediaJEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2011 -- Take the opportunity May 14 to "Get Out and Play!" at Washington State Park near De Soto. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this free event is open to visitors of all ages, and will include family-friendly games, activities and crafts.

During this second annual event, special booths will be set up around the Thunderbird Lodge and in the Big River day-use area from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Each booth will feature an activity or subject for visitors to explore and learn more about, including nature crafts, guided petroglyph tours, kite flying, native plants, bird watching, games and much more. Visitors are also encouraged to hike the park's trails, explore the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the park, and even wade in the Big River.

Washington State Park is located on State Highway 104 off Highway 21 between De Soto and Potosi. The park offers many amenities, including a campground with basic and electric sites; a showerhouse with laundry facilities; campground programs; a modern pool; cabins with full kitchens; canoe and raft rentals; a camp store and gift shop; 10 miles of hiking trails; and several picnic sites throughout the park.

Missouri state parks and historic sites provide many ways to reconnect with nature and explore the outdoors. For more information, contact Washington State Park at 636-586-2995 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device or the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, go to mostateparks.com.

Missouri Elk Arrival Delayed

WINONA - Arrival of elk at Peck Ranch has been delayed because all necessary health protocol testing is not complete, according to Ron Dent, elk restoration program coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Dent said MDC will select a new arrival date for the elk once health protocol testing is complete. Testing was inconclusive on one animal. Additional testing will be conducted on that one animal and results could be available as early as next week. Final testing is being completed and verified to ensure elk held in Kentucky meet the highest standard of health prior to arriving at their holding pen on Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Conservation continue to implement the strongest health testing protocols in the nation. Missouri’s elk restoration is moving forward and the Conservation Department will continue to keep citizens informed on this conservation initiative.

MDC Fishing Report 4/29/2011

Attention Fishing Report Subscribers:

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 28, 2011, until that date all black bass in those streams must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.  For details see Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal for all portions.


CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

    LAKES

Binder: 52 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass good on plastic baits and spinnerbaits; crappie good on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and liver; all other species slow.




 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Blind Pony Lake: 57 degrees, high, dingy; fishing pressure is very low this year; channel catfish and sunfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow; anglers need to be reminded that the lake is closed to private boats and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater): 55 degrees, normal, muddy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass season closed; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics; catfish slow, try worms, chicken liver and cut shad; paddlefish slow snagging.

 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 59 degrees, muddy; crappie good using crappie jigs and minnows; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastic worms and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; catfish slow on worms, chicken livers and cut baits.
 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 59 degrees, muddy; crappie fair; black bass fair; white bass slow; catfish slow.





 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 59 degrees, muddy; crappie good; white bass slow; black bass fair; catfish fair.


 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 59 degrees, muddy; crappie good; white bass slow; black bass fair; catfish fair.


 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Little Dixie: 56 degrees, high, muddy; crappie good on minnows and jig; largemouth bass good on plastic worms; all other species slow. Area closed to all activity between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

    RIVERS

Lamine: high, muddy; crappie good on minnows around the A Hwy. (old 50 Access); all other species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Missouri (Middle): high, muddy; channel catfish good on worms and gizzard shad; flathead catfish slow; blue catfish fair on cut bait. All other species slow.
 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 55 degrees, normal, muddy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass season closed; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics; catfish slow, try worms, chicken liver and cut shad; paddlefish slow snagging.

 (Report made on 4/28/2011)


KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

James A. Reed Area: 56 degrees, high, clear; crappie good; largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Montrose: 56 degrees, muddy; catfish fair; all other species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Schell-Osage (Atkinson Lake): 64 degrees, dingy; crappie and catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Schell-Osage (Schell Lake): 62 degrees, high, dingy; crappie and catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Truman: 58 degrees, high, dingy; crappie fair using minnows and jigs in 2' to 8' depths, slow trolling or spider rigging is best; black bass fair using spinnerbaits; catfish fair using cut bait or perch. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Truman Tailwaters: 58 degrees, low, dingy; releasing 7,800 cfs; catfish, white bass and hybrid bass good; crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

    RIVERS

Missouri River: high, muddy; channel catfish good on cut bait in low current areas; all other species slow.
 (Report made on 4/28/2011)


NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell: 58 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass good on flukes; channel catfish good on chicken livers; bluegill good on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Long Branch: 56 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Mark Twain: 58 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on jigs and minnows; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Sever: 59 degrees, normal, dingy; muskie good on traditional muskie bait; crappie good on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass good on Rattle Traps off the points; bluegill fair on small jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Thomas Hill: 61 degrees, high, muddy; small channel catfish good on worms and cut shad; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

    RIVERS

Mississippi (above St. Louis): 48 degrees, high, muddy; river is several feet above flood stage; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 62 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)


NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 53 degrees, low, clear; black bass good; walleye slow on crankbaits, channel catfish good; all other species slow. Area ponds producing good catches of black bass. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Mozingo: 59 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good, crappie good, channel catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Paho: 60 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Pony Express: 54 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on jigs in the silt basins; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Smithville: 51 degrees, rising, dingy; crappie are slow in shallow water near brush or trees on minnows and a variety of jigs; crappie are fair in deeper water near brush piles on jigs and minnows; black bass fair in shallow water on a wide variety of lures including spinnerbaits, stickbaits and jigs; channel catfish are slow on nightcrawlers and shad sides; white bass fair in the creek arms of lake on jigs and Road Runners; walleye are slow, mostly caught in evening off dam with shallow diving stickbaits; all snagged or foul hooked fish must be returned to the water immediately. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

    RIVERS

Grand: 49 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish and blue catfish fair; flathead catfish slow; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Missouri (below Iowa line): 52 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)


OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (East): 59 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Norfork: 59 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

    RIVERS

Big Piney (lower, Pulaski Co.): 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Big Piney (Upper): 58 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Bryant Creek: 58 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Current: 62 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Eleven Point: 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Gasconade (middle, Pulaski Co.): 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Gasconade (upper): 58 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Jack's Fork: 61 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

North Fork: 59 degrees, high, muddy; white bass fair on stickbaits and soft plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)


SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 64 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow due to high water. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Council Bluff: 60 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Cypress Lake: high, dingy; area is closed to all public use until further notice due to flooding conditions. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Duck Creek: high, clear; all species slow due to high water. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Perry County Lake: 66 degrees, normal, muddy; catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 64 degrees, high, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Wappapello: high, muddy; all species are slow.  The lake is at flood stage and most accesses are closed due to flooding. Recorded lake level and other information can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

    RIVERS

Black River (near Annapolis): high, dingy;  all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Castor River (above Zalma): high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Lower Black River (Clearwater Dam): high, muddy; channel catfish and black bass good on worms in backwater areas; crappie good on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.  Water levels are extremely high and fishing with a boat is very dangerous at this time.  Bank fishing in backwater areas is considered safe. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Mississippi (below Charleston): high, muddy; all species slow due to high water. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Mississippi River (Cape Girardeau): rising, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

St. Francis (above Wappapello): high, muddy; crappie good on minnows and jigs in backwater areas; black bass and channel catfish good on worms in backwater areas; all other species slow.  Water levels are extremely high and fishing with a boat is dangerous at this time.  Bank fishing in backwater areas is safe. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

St. Francis (below Wappapello): high, dingy; water levels are extremely high; all species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)


SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (West): 63 degrees, high, dingy; dam/Swan Creek area: all species slow; Beaver Creek: all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Lake Taneycomo: 52 degrees, high, dingy; a flow advisory is in effect; water levels are very high and flooding; all species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Pomme de Terre: 61 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow due to high lake levels. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Stockton: 60 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on Crappie Candy, minnows, tube baits, and Cast Master in 15' of water; black bass good on spinners moving up into the bank; walleye slow, best on minnows and tube baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Table Rock (James River arm): 65 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow due to flooding conditions. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

Table Rock (main lake): 66 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow; little fishing opportunities due to flooding. (Report made on 4/27/2011)

    RIVERS

Big Niangua: 50 degrees, high, dingy; black bass slow, catch and release only until May 28, best on soft plastics; goggle-eye slow, best on soft plastics and jigs; trout slow, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/26/2011)

James River (lower): 61 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow due to extremely high water levels. (Report made on 4/27/2011)


ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 58 degrees, high, dingy; bluegill fair on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; catfish slow on stinkbaits and chicken liver; limit 4; crappie good on jigs and minnows; please remove litter. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 60 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish slow on stinkbaits and chicken liver; limit 4; stocking will begin in early May; bluegill fair on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; limit 4; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

    RIVERS

Big River: 58 degrees, rising, muddy; channel catfish good in backwater and slough on liver, prepared baits and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Bourbeuse (middle, lower, Franklin Co.): 64 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms and cut bait; all other species slow on natural baits. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Meramec (above Sullivan, Crawford Co.): 60 degrees, high, muddy; no report due to flood conditions. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Meramec (below Eureka): 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Missouri (below New Haven): 60 degrees, rising, muddy;  all species slow. (Report made on 4/28/2011)


TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 54 degrees, high, muddy; the spring level is about 14 inches high and flowing very fast; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: red and green Cracklebacks, white floss mini jig, gingersnap colored with gold head, pink and white colored and black and yellow colored marabou jigs, white colored with red ring Rooster Tail,  tri-colored  and pink and peach colored glo balls; Zone 3 best lures: yellow, white and cheese Power Baits, Trout Nip, and minnows.  April fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. We are planning to cut weeds May 3 and 4.  We will begin around 8 a.m. and be finished around 3 p.m.  Our annual kids fishing day is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. Activities will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Lunch is provided for the kids.  Fishing hours for May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, falling, fishing is slow; the water is muddy/stained with very good flow due to the recent rains and large spring flows. The park is open and fishing is open. Fishing hours for the month of April are 7:00 a.m to 7:30 p.m.  Fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Kid's Free Fishing Day will be held Saturday, May 14th, 2011. (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Montauk State Park: 56 degrees, There has been a series of floods the past few days. The river level is high but slowly dropping. The water is muddy. It is slowly clearing up but will stay dingy for many days. The river is fishable. Fishing is good on bright colored, and scented baits with the best fishing on the spring branch in the morning and evening hours.  The park campgrounds have reopened Thursday, April 28.  April fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  May 1st fishing hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.  Kid's Free Fishing Day is Saturday, May 7th.


For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Roaring River State Park: 57 degrees, the stream is very off color; flow is very high at this time; the river is fishable and the park is open despite the recent flooding; use heavier line and scented baits in zones allowed.  (Report made on 4/28/2011)

Getting Ready for the Elk!

Elk will arrive soon.  Here is a video about this exciting event.

Get camping info about Missouri