Spring turkey harvest down 9.3 percent

Image via Wikipedia

Wet, windy weather plagued hunters throughout much of the season.

JEFFERSON CITY–A 9.3-percent dip in the 2011 spring turkey harvest confirms what Missourians already knew – it has been a stormy three weeks in the Show-Me State.

Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle, the Conservation Department’s turkey specialist, announced today that hunters checked 38,328 turkeys during the regular spring turkey season April 18 through May 8. That is down 3,926 from last year.

Adding the harvest from the youth turkey season April 9 and 10 brings Missouri’s 2011 spring turkey harvest to 42,226. That is down 8.6 percent from last year. Spring turkey permit sales were down 4,885, or 3.3 percent, from last year.

Top harvest counties were Franklin, with 840 turkeys checked, Texas with 699 and Bollinger with 675. Juvenile gobblers, known as “jakes,” made up 19.6 percent of the harvest. That is virtually identical to last year, when jakes comprised 20 percent of the harvest.

Isabelle predicted a smaller harvest this year because of a decline in turkey numbers statewide.

“We still have very strong wild turkey numbers in most areas compared to other states,” said Isabelle, “but there is no question that the population is down, and more in some areas than others. That was bound to affect our harvest this year. Cool, rainy and often windy conditions during much of turkey season magnified the effect.”

Isabelle said the season got off to a good start. The youth harvest was virtually identical to last year’s, and the opening-day harvest was slightly higher than in 2010. Then it turned cool and turned stormy.

Isabelle said rain, cool temperatures and wind have a double negative effect on hunting success. Stormy weather causes male turkeys to gobble less, making them harder to hunt. Nasty weather also discourages hunters from going afield.

“The turkeys are out there every day,” said Isabelle. ”You can hunt them effectively, even on rainy days, but it’s harder, and it can be uncomfortable. Quite a few hunters choose not to hunt at all on rainy days. I suspect that when we look at our hunter survey data, we’ll see a reduction in the number of days that hunters took to the field this spring.”

Isabelle said he doesn’t expect this spring’s relatively light harvest to have a significant effect on the state’s turkey population. This is partly because 99 percent of the harvested turkeys are males, and turkey reproduction is determined by the number of hens. MDC sets the hunting season late enough in the spring to allow ample opportunity for gobblers and hens to breed prior to the start of the season.

“Harvesting 4,000 fewer gobblers in the spring is a minor factor compared to annual reproduction,” said Isabelle. “In a good year, our hens can produce more than 300,000 poults (young turkeys). That dwarfs the total number of gobblers we harvest, even when hunting conditions are good.”

Isabelle said Missouri has enough wild-turkey hens to stage a population recovery. To do that, however, the birds need favorable weather. Wet conditions take a toll on nesting success of ground-nesting birds like turkeys. It also reduces survival of poults, which are susceptible to hypothermia when cool, wet weather prevails.

Isabelle said wet conditions so far this spring have not helped turkey nesting, but most areas haven’t been as hard-hit as southeastern Missouri.

“Even in areas where flooding has occurred, hens still have time to re-nest and bring off a good crop of poults,” he said. “We have had several years of bad nesting conditions, but I’m hoping this will be the year when we get warmer, drier weather, and turkey numbers bounce back a bit. May and June are critical months for wild turkey production, and it’s still not too late for conditions to improve.”

The Conservation Department recorded three firearms-related hunting incidents during the regular turkey season. None was fatal. Two incidents, including a fatal self-inflicted gunshot, occurred during the youth season. Last year, the agency recorded four incidents during the regular season and two during the youth season. None of last year’s incidents was fatal.

County-by-county spring turkey harvest totals are available at the MDC website, www.missouriconservation.org. Search for “2011 turkey harvest.”

Boaters, anglers should watch for zebra mussels

Image via Wikipedia

With the return of warm weather just around the corner, thousands of Missourians will be taking boats out of mothballs and preparing for fishing and pleasure boating trips. If you are among these, remember that Missouri waters still are at risk of infestation by zebra mussels. The most common way these economically and ecologically damaging pests enter new waters is by hitching a ride on boats or boat trailers.

Adult zebra mussels can live for several days out of water. Their microscopic larvae can survive for weeks in boat bilge water, live wells, engine cooling-water systems and bait buckets.

To help prevent the spread of zebra mussels:

• Inspect your boat and trailer thoroughly, and remove any trash, mussels or aquatic weeds after each outing.
• Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge and transom wells and other parts of your boat.
• Dump leftover bait in trash receptacles away from the water.
• Rinse boat, trailer and equipment (including live wells, bilge and cooling systems) thoroughly with hard spray from a garden hose, and allow to dry for at least 48 hours. If your boat or equipment was used in zebra mussel-infested waters, use a commercial car wash with hot water.
• Dry boat, motor, trailer and equipment thoroughly in the hot sun before using again.
• Learn to identify zebra mussels. Adults have a distinct triangular shell, with a striped pattern. They can reach 2 inches, but most are fingernail-sized.

To report a potential zebra mussel sighting or for additional information, contact a Department of Conservation office (see page 1 for a list of regional office phone numbers). For more information see below.

Conservation Plates get new design, many new vendors

Image via WikipediaFrom Missouri Department of Conservation

For years, Missourians have sported the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation’s conservation license plates as a way to show their passion for wildlife. This spring, drivers can choose a new design featuring a Jim Rathert photo of morel mushrooms. This image joins the traditional lineup of conservation plates, which include a bluebird and big buck portrait.

Until now, drivers have gotten their conservation plates by making a $25 donation to MCHF. You can still apply for one of the three plate designs through the Department of Conservation or MCHF websites, but this spring you can also make your MCHF donation and apply for a plate at any hunting and fishing permit vendor in the state. To order online, see below.

Happy Mother’s Day

Watch mammal mothers raise their young, featuring raccoons,opossums, deer, otter and coyotes.


Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

Wings over Weston event planned May 14 at Weston Bend State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. MAY 4, 2011 – Discover the fascinating world of birds and their importance in the environment at the Wings over Weston event Saturday, May 14 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The event, a birding festival for the entire family, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open the public.

            Demonstrations and activities will be held throughout the day and include educational stations on topics such as migratory songbirds, avian habitats and touch tables. Activities and games will be held for children of all ages. Operation Wildlife and Lakeside Nature Center will provide an opportunity for everyone to have an up close view of migratory birds and raptors. Prizes and raffles, special music by the Bluegrass Tornadoes, and duck and songbird mazes will provide entertainment all day. Guided bird hikes will be held offered throughout the day.

At 11 a.m. new interpretive panels along Harpst Trail will be dedicated. Each panel highlights the beauty and importance of birds, their habitat needs and challenges, and the importance of high quality landscapes for both people and wildlife. This series of panels were developed by Audubon Missouri, Burroughs Audubon Society and Missouri State Parks.

The event will provide an opportunity for Scouts to earn a Bird Study Merit Badge. Scouts can complete as many steps as possible for their badge with the help of counselors from Burroughs Audubon, the Missouri Master Naturalists and others.  

Wings over Weston is sponsored by Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri State Parks, Audubon Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the city of Weston with support from the Aveda Corp.

Saturday’s event is part of a two-day program to celebrate the world of birds. On Friday, fourth grade students from four local schools are invited to visit the park for a hands-on experience about birds. The students will rotate among five educational stations staffed by trained volunteers.

This is the second year for Wings over Weston, which showcases the kind of landscape birds depend on to survive and thrive. Weston Bend State Park was recently designated as part of an Important Bird Area or IBA. The IBA program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds. The IBA that includes Weston Bend State Park is known as the Iatan/Weston River Corridor IBA and contains one of the largest surviving tracts of old-growth bottomland forest along the entire length of the Missouri River.

Weston Bend State Park is located south of Weston at 16600 Highway 45 North. For more information about the event, contact Weston Bend State Park at 816-640-5443 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Second Annual BioBlitz June 4 & 5

Image by ImAges ImprObables via Flickr

Nature lovers of all ages are invited to help experts discover and document grassland plants and animals from Golden Prairie, a National Natural Landmark in Barton County.

By Carol Davit, Missouri Prairie Foundation

JEFFERSON CITY Mo -- In spring and summer, Golden Prairie is often carpeted with wildflowers as far as the eye can see. An original prairie remnant owned and managed by the Missouri Prairie Foundation, Golden is a peaceful place and haven for native prairie plants and wildlife.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, however, it will bustle with human activity as nature lovers statewide team up with biologists at the conservation organization’s free, second annual Prairie BioBlitz.

Barbara Van Vleck, a Missouri Master Naturalist from Kansas City, will definitely be there.

“MPF’s Prairie BioBlitz last year at Penn-Sylvania Prairie was the best outdoor event I have attended in 20 years,” said Van Vleck. “Cordial experts in many fields taught us at an appropriate level. A plant survey revealed blooms everywhere, including orchids! From a bat survey, herpetology talk to nighttime moth identification, it was an exciting two days. I wouldn’t miss it this year for anything.”

Across the country, nature lovers and professional biologists team up at “BioBlitzes” to identify as many species as possible (the “bio”) in an area over the course of 24 hours (the “blitz”). The Missouri Prairie Foundation is hosting its own version at Golden Prairie on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5.

Golden Prairie is in Barton County, about three miles from Golden City. The Missouri Prairie Foundation purchased the 320-acre Golden Prairie in 1970, and since then, 310 additional acres adjoining or near the original tract have been purchased and protected. More than 300 plant species are known from the original 320 acres of the prairie, but for many other groups of species, little information is known from any of Golden’s 630 acres.

“Today, ecologists consider temperate grasslands to be the most endangered, least conserved of any terrestrial habitat on earth, and no temperate grasslands are more threatened than tallgrass prairies,” said Carol Davit, the Foundation’s director of communications and development. “Collectively, our remaining prairies in Missouri support up to 800 plant species, dozens of vertebrates and thousands of invertebrates. We want to see how many of them we can find at Golden Prairie, and BioBlitz participants will help in that effort.”

On the afternoon and evening of June 4 and the morning of June 5, biologists who study ants, bees, birds, beetles, butterflies, true bugs, moths, mammals, aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, land snails, vascular plants, mosses and liverworts will lead groups across the prairie to survey and inventory as many species as possible.

Several Missouri Conservation Department (MDC) biologists, including Mammalogist Debbie Fantz, Natural History Biologist Mike Arduser, Resource Science Division Field Chief Rochelle Renken, Fisheries Management Biologist Tom Priesendorf and Naturalist Shelly Cox will be group leaders. Other leaders include Shaw Nature Reserve Biologist and Entomologist Dr. James Trager, Botanists Justin Thomas and Nels Holmberg, Malacologist Ron Oesch, Lepidopterist Phillip Koenig and Naturalist Elizabeth Hamilton.

“We are thrilled that so many biologists are giving their time to help uncover the plant and animal treasures of this prairie,” said Davit. “If you love wildlife, this is a great opportunity to learn from experts passionate about their given subjects, and play a role in much-needed data collection as well.”

MDC’s Mike Arduser, who will lead the bee group, added, “The Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Prairie BioBlitz brings two important things together -- scientific data collection and the opportunity of nature enthusiasts at all skill levels to participate in this work, and also interact with each other. At the end of the weekend, BioBlitz participants go away with a greater understanding of prairie then when they arrived.”

Following the afternoon activities on June 4, there will be a potluck picnic supper, stargazing and free tent camping on the prairie. The BioBlitz is free, but participants must RSVP. For a detailed BioBlitz schedule, directions to the prairie, and to RSVP, visit the Upcoming Events page at www.moprairie.org, email info@moprairie.com or call 888-843-6739.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a 45-year-old membership organization that protects and restores prairie and other native grasslands through acquisition, management, education and support of prairie research. The organization owns 2,600 acres of prairie across the state and helps manage an additional 1,500 acres owned by conservation partners.

5/5/2011 MDC Fishing Report

5/5/2011 at 10:58:18  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: 61 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; bluegill good on river worms and crickets; crappie good on minnows and jigs; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; all other species slow.




 (Report made on 5/5/2011)

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; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater): 55 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass season closed;
catfish slow, try chicken livers, worms and cut shad; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics.
 (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 61 degrees, dingy; crappie good on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass good using dark colored soft plastic worms and buzzbaits; catfish slow, try worms, chicken livers and cut baits; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails.
 (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 59 degrees, dingy; crappie good on minnows; black bass good; catfish good using cut bait;
white bass fair.


(Report made on 5/4/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 59 degrees, dingy; crappie good on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass good using dark colored soft plastic worms and buzzbaits; catfish slow, try worms, chicken livers and cut baits; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails.


 (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 59 degrees, dingy; crappie good on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass good using dark colored soft plastic worms and buzzbaits; catfish slow, try worms, chicken livers and cut baits; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and Rooster Tails.


 (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Little Dixie: 57 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on minnows and jigs; 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 5/4/2011)

    RIVERS

Lamine: normal, muddy; crappie fair on minnows near Otterville; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Missouri (Middle): high, muddy; all species slow.
 (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 55 degrees, normal, muddy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass season closed;
catfish slow, try chicken livers, worms and cut shad; white bass fair on light colored soft plastics.
 (Report made on 5/4/2011)


KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

James A. Reed Area: 60 degrees, high, clear; crappie and bluegill good; largemouth bass, channel catfish and redear sunfish fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Montrose: 54 degrees, muddy; catfish fair; all other species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Schell-Osage (Atkinson Lake): 63 degrees, dingy; crappie, catfish and black bass good; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Schell-Osage (Schell Lake): 64 degrees, high, dingy; crappie, catfish and black bass good; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Truman: 59 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good as the fish are moving back to the banks using jigs;  black bass good using spinnerbaits and jigs; catfish good using cut bait or perch; white bass fair using jigs. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Truman Tailwaters: 59 degrees, dingy; catfish and crappie fair, all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

    RIVERS

Missouri River: high, muddy; flathead catfish fair in tributaries on live bait; all other species slow in the main river.
 (Report made on 5/5/2011)


NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell: 61 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on buzzbaits; channel catfish good on chicken livers; bluegill good on earthworms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Long Branch: 57 degrees, high, muddy; flathead catfish good on setlines using bluegill; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Mark Twain: 58 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on jigs of assorted colors and minnows; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and cut bait; white bass fair on Rattle Traps; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Sever: 61 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass good on Rattle Traps; bluegill fair on Rooster Tails; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Thomas Hill: 59 degrees, high, muddy; 72 degrees at warm water fishing dock; small channel catfish good on worms; hybrid stripers fair on lures resembling shad; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

    RIVERS

Mississippi (above St. Louis): 51 degrees, high, muddy; 2' above flood stage; channel catfish good on live bait and stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 58 degrees, high, muddy; smallmouth bass fair on hellgrammites, drum good on worms; channel catfish fair on cut shad near riffles; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)


NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 58 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good; channel catfish good on cut bait; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Mozingo: 59 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good in mid depths; black bass good; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Paho: 60 degrees, high, clear; crappie activity has begun to increase near the banks with rock structure; channel catfish in the 1-3 lb. range fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Pony Express: 56 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs closer to banks; largemouth bass good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Smithville: 56 degrees, rising, dingy; crappie fair in shallow water near trees and other cover with minnows or jigs; largemouth bass fair in shallow water on a wide variety of lures; channel catfish slow on nightcrawlers and shad sides; white bass fair in creek arms of lake on jigs and minnows; walleye slow on jigs, worms or rattle lures at lake points. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

    RIVERS

Grand: 53 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish and blue catfish fair; flathead catfish slow; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Missouri (below Iowa line): 55 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish and carp fair on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/4/2011)


OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (East): 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Norfork: 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

    RIVERS

Big Piney (lower, Pulaski Co.): 61 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Big Piney (Upper): 58 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Bryant Creek: 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Current: 62 degrees, falling, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Eleven Point: 60 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Gasconade (middle, Pulaski Co.): 61 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Gasconade (upper): 58 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Jacks Fork: 61 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

North Fork: 55 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)


SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 62 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow due to high water. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Council Bluff: 62 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Cypress Lake: high, dingy; area is closed to all public use until further notice due to flooding conditions. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Duck Creek: 58 degrees, high, clear; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; bluegill fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass fair on minnows and spinnerbaits; all other species slow due to high water.

Area is open, but roads are rough due to flood waters washing in a few locations. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Lake Girardeau: high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Perry County Lake: 62 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on white jigs; bluegill fair on worms; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 62 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Wappapello: high, muddy; channel catfish good on live bait in the far upper areas of the lake.  Wappapello Lake is experiencing historic level flooding.  The emergency spillway was topped for the first time since 1945.  Many of the roads and almost every access around the lake is closed.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 5/4/2011)


 RIVERS

Black River (near Annapolis): 59 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Castor River (above Zalma): high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Lower Black River (Clearwater Dam): high, muddy; the Black River below Clearwater spillway is closed to public use for an undetermined amount of time due to record lake levels. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Mississippi (below Charleston): high, muddy; all species slow due to high water. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Mississippi River (Cape Girardeau): high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

St. Francis (above Wappapello): high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

St. Francis (below Wappapello): high, dingy; water levels are extremely high; all species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)


SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (West): 60 degrees, high, dingy; dam/Swan Creek area: very high water levels, all species slow; Beaver Creek: all species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, high, clear; a flow advisory is in effect; all species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2011)

Pomme de Terre: 56 degrees, high, dingy; water level is 13' above normal; black bass fair on spinning baits and plastic baits over submerged cover; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 5' to 10' of water; catfish fair on shad; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Stockton: 56 degrees, high, dingy; black bass good on crankbaits off banks in 12' of water; crappie good on minnows and tube jigs in 10' to 15' of water near brush piles; white bass good on Rebels and tube baits in upper lake arms; catfish good on nightcrawlers and liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Table Rock (James River arm): 69 degrees, high, dingy; black bass fair on white or white/chartreuse spin baits in 10' to 12' of water, also try gray or white grubs on a 1/2 oz. jig; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

Table Rock (main lake): 69 degrees, high, dingy; black bass fair on white or white/chartreuse spin baits in 10' to 12' of water, also try gray or white grubs on a 1/2 oz. jig; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

    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 5/5/2011)

James River (lower): 66 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow due to extremely high water levels. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

----------------------
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 fair on jigs and minnows; please remove litter. (Report made on 5/5/2011)

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 5/5/2011)

    RIVERS

Big River: 51 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair in backwater and slough on liver, prepared baits and worms; black bass slow on minnows, worms, and crayfish; crappie slow on minnows; bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Bourbeuse (middle, lower, Franklin Co.): 62 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on live bait; all other species slow on natural baits. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Meramec (above Sullivan, Crawford Co.): 60 degrees, high, muddy; no report due to flood conditions. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Meramec (below Eureka): 60 degrees, high, muddy; black bass fair on crankbaits; channel catfish good on natural baits; crappie good on jigs and minnows; carp good on doughbait; all other species fair on worms. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

Missouri (below New Haven): 60 degrees, high, muddy;  channel catfish fair on worms and prepared bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/4/2011)

----------------------
TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 54 degrees, the spring level is still 4-5" above normal and very dingy; fishing deep is your best bet. Zone 1 and 2 best lures: beaded head Cracklebacks, gingersnap with 8 oz. gold head colored, pink and white colored and black and yellow colored marabou jigs, orange flake colored and black and yellow colored Rooster Tails, tri-colored and white, and white and red colored glo balls; Zone 3 best lures: fluorescent orange colored and pink Power Baits, fluorescent pink plastic worms and salmon eggs.  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 5/5/2011)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, falling, dingy; fishing is slow; the water is slowly clearing up; 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 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 5/5/2011)

Montauk State Park: 56 degrees, falling, the river level is slightly higher than normal, but slowly dropping. The water is stained. Fishing is good on most baits with bright colors, and scented baits are working the best. May fishing hours are 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 5/5/2011)

Roaring River State Park: 57 degrees, falling, the stream is dingy and a little above normal; the river is very fishable; water is clearing up more every day; spoons, plastic worms and power eggs are working very well, the use of heavier line is advised; use scented baits in zones allowed. Kid's Fishing Day is May 14th. Upper holes will be reseserved for kids 15 and under; holes will remain reserved all day.  (Report made on 5/5/2011)