6/9/2011 MDC Fishing Report

Image via WikipediaPLEASE 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: 71 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass good on plastic worms; bluegill good on crickets and worms; channel catfish good on stinkbait and nightcrawlers; all other species slow.




 (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Blind Pony Lake: 77 degrees, normal, dingy; sunfish fair on nightcrawlers; largemouth bass good on plastic worms; 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 6/8/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater): 66 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow, try worms, dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits;
white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and light colored Rooster Tails; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair using cut shad, worms, chicken livers and stinkbaits.

 (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 81 degrees, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics, crankbaits and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish good using cut baits and stinkbaits.
 (Report made on 6/8/2011)


Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 81 degrees, dingy; catfish good on cicadas; all other species slow.




 (Report made on 6/8/2011)


Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 65 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass slow, try worms, dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits;
white bass fair on light colored soft plastics and light colored Rooster Tails; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair using cut shad, worms, chicken livers and stinkbaits.
 (Report made on 6/8/2011)

----------------------
KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

James A. Reed Area: 82 degrees, clear; full pool; bluegill and redear sunfish good; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Montrose: 85 degrees, normal, dingy; catfish and black bass fair; all other species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Schell-Osage (Atkinson Lake): 85 degrees, clear; catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Schell-Osage (Schell Lake): 87 degrees, clear; catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Truman: 79 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good using jigs and minnows; black bass good using spinnerbaits and jigs; catfish fair using cut bait or shad; white bass and hybrid bass fair using jigs. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Truman Tailwaters: 79 degrees, dingy; releasing 31,000 cfs; all species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)


RIVERS

Missouri River: high, the river is flooded; all species slow.  (Report made on 6/9/2011)

----------------------
NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell: 85 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on Rooster Tails; channel catfish good on Shad Raps; crappie good on Little Cleos and marabou jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Long Branch: 75 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish and blue catfish good on rod and reel along rip-rap off Hwy AX using stinkbaits and leeches; channel catfish and blue catfish good on setlines using live baits; flathead catfish fair on setlines using live baits; crappie good using jigs and minnows next to bank; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Mark Twain: 80 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on assorted jigs and minnows; channel catfish good on cut bait and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Sever: 82 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on hotdogs and Sonny's dip bait; black bass fair on Texas and Carolina rigged baits; bluegill fair on live baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Thomas Hill: 75 degrees, high, muddy; 92 degrees at warm water boat ramp; channel catfish fair using stinkbaits and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Mississippi (above St. Louis): 70 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 72 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish good on live baits; drum good on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

----------------------
NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 75 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on crankbaits or topwater lures; channel catfish good on chicken liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Mozingo: 75 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on weedlines and shallow points and brush; crappie fair over deep brush; bluegill good on live bait; channel catfish good on cut bait; walleye fair on main lake points or near channel breaks. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Paho: 72 degrees, high, dingy; hybrid striped bass good on natural baits; largemouth bass good; channel catfish good on natural baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Pony Express: 81 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on worms; catfish good on chicken liver; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Smithville: 73 degrees, normal, muddy; crappie fair on minnows and jigs, the spawn is mostly over so fish are moving back into deeper water/cover; largemouth bass fair in shallow water on a wide variety of lures including spinners, stickbaits, and jigs; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers, shad, and prepared baits; white bass fair in the creek arms of the lake on jigs and Road Runners; walleye fair on jigs, worms, or rattle baits on flat lake points.  (Report made on 6/8/2011)


RIVERS

Grand: 62 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish fair; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Missouri (below Iowa line): 70 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

----------------------
OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (East): 84 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Norfork: 84 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

    RIVERS

Big Piney (lower, Pulaski Co.): 72 degrees, high, dingy; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye good on jigs and crankbaits. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Big Piney (Upper): 69 degrees, normal, clear; black bass and goggle-eye good on soft plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Bryant Creek: 71 degrees, high, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Current: 73 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass good on grubs; all other species good on soft plastic baits. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Eleven Point: 61 degrees, high, clear; rainbow trout fair on corn and prepared baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)


Gasconade (middle, Pulaski Co.): 73 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on live baits. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Gasconade (upper): 75 degrees, high, dingy; black bass, sunfish, and goggle-eye fair on live bait and soft plastic baits. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Jacks Fork: 78 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass good on spinnerbaits; goggle-eye good on soft plastics. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

North Fork: 64 degrees, high, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastic baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

----------------------
SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 79 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Council Bluff: 72 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics and topwater lures during low light periods; bluegill and redear sunfish fair on worms and crickets in 4'-5' depths; channel catfish fair on liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Cypress Lake: 85 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish good in 2'-3' depths using crickets, worms, and stinkbait; crappie fair in 3' depths using minnows and jigs; bluegill and redear sunfish fair in 1'-3' depths using crickets, small jigs, and small pieces of worms; largemouth bass fair in 2'-3' depths on minnows and jigs;  all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Duck Creek: 85 degrees, high, clear; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)
Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 81 degrees, muddy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics, crankbaits and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish good using cut baits and stinkbaits.


 (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 81 degrees, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics, crankbaits and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish good using cut baits and stinkbaits.
 (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Little Dixie: 63 degrees, high, muddy; crappie fair on minnows; bluegill good on worms and crickets; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits; largemouth bass good on plastic worms and topwater lures; 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 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Lamine: high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Missouri (Middle): high, muddy; the river is hard to fish due to water level, fishing in tributaries is best; blue catfish fair on cut bait and flathead catfish fair on  live baits; all other species slow.
 (Report made on 6/9/2011)


Lake Girardeau: 76 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass and channel catfish good on worms; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets; all other species fair. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Perry County Lake: 80 degrees, normal, clear; redear sunfish good on crickets; channel catfish good on worms; largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Robert DeLaney Lake: high, dingy; bluegill fair on crickets; channel catfish fair on livers, stinkbaits and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Wappapello: falling, channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and live bait; crappie good on minnows and jigs in spillway; black bass fair on plastic worms; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; all other species slow.  Access areas are still very limited.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Black River (near Annapolis): 74 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye good on artificial baits or live minnows; bluegill fair on live worms; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; black bass and goggle-eye fair on minnows; all other species slow.   (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Lower Black River (Clearwater Dam): high, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms and live bait; black bass fair on minnows and soft plastics in backwater areas; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Mississippi (below Charleston): high, muddy; channel catfish good on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Mississippi River (Cape Girardeau): high, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

St. Francis (above Wappapello): high, dingy; black bass good on large minnows and topwater lures; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)


St. Francis (below Wappapello): 70 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on live bait, small bluegill, and goldfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

----------------------
SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals (West): 68-72 degrees, high, dingy; Dam/Swan Creek area: black bass good on jigs, soft plastics, and nightcrawlers; walleye fair on jerkbait; white bass fair on swimming minnows; Beaver Creek area: black bass good on jigs, soft plastics and nightcrawlers. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, high, clear; trout good on black/white marabou jigs, black/chrome and blue/chrome crankbaits, orange glo balls, and bubblegum, chartreuse or orange Power Baits. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Pomme de Terre: 84 degrees, high, clear; crappie good on minnows in 15' to 30' of water over structure; black bass good on plastic baits along main lake points in early morning; walleye good while trolling flats with crankbaits or drifting nightcrawlers; catfish good on live bait using trotlines or jug lines; muskie slow, best while trolling flats with crankbaits; white bass slow. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Stockton: 75 degrees, high, clear; black bass good on jigs and spinnerbaits in coves and flooded brush; catfish good on nightcrawlers and shrimp; walleye good on points with nightcrawlers, jigs and crankbaits in 20' of water; crappie slow, best on crankbaits while trolling in 12' to 15' of water. (Report made on 6/8/2011)

Table Rock (James River arm): 71 degrees, high, dingy; black bass good, largemouth and spotted bass being caught on Carolina rigged plastic worms in flooded timber, best colors are plum, purple, peanut butter and jelly, and watermelon, flipping green or brown jigs up into flooded timber is working as well as soft plastic crayfish; catfish good on limb line or trotline using 2" to 3" bluegill or goldfish, also try pole and line with yellow fins, creek chubs, nightcrawlers, stinkbaits, and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)


Table Rock (main lake): 71 degrees, high, dingy; black bass good, largemouth and spotted bass being caught on Carolina rigged plastic worms in flooded timber, best colors are plum, purple, peanut butter and jelly, and watermelon, flipping green or brown jigs up into flooded timber is working as well as soft plastic crayfish; catfish good on limb line or trotline using 2" to 3" bluegill or goldfish, also try pole and line with yellow fins, creek chubs, nightcrawlers, stinkbaits, and cut baits; white bass fair on topwater lures or shallow diving lures, try bright colors in the evening; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Big Niangua: 63 degrees, high, clear; black bass fair, 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 6/8/2011)

James River (lower): 76 degrees, normal, clear; goggle-eye good on black/white skirted spinners and black/white jigs and minnows; black bass good on nightcrawlers and crankbaits at morning and dusk; smallmouth bass good on nightcrawlers and crayfish colored crankbaits at morning and dusk; catfish good on cut baits and nightcrawlers using trotlines and limb lines; crappie fair on jigs and minnows. (Report made on 6/7/2011)

----------------------
ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 78 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill fair on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; catfish fair on stinkbaits and chicken liver; limit 4; crappie slow on tube & curly tail jigs and minnows; please remove litter. (Report made on 6/9/2011)


Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 76 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and chicken liver due to recent stocking; limit 4; bluegill fair on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; limit 4; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Big River: 66 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on liver and shrimp; black bass slow on minnows; carp fair on dough balls; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Bourbeuse (middle, lower, Franklin Co.): 71 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, worms and blood bait; black bass slow on minnows; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow on worms.
 (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Meramec (above Sullivan, Crawford Co.): 72 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; black bass slow on dark plastic baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Meramec (below Eureka): 72 degrees, falling, muddy; black bass fair; channel catfish fair on natural baits; crappie fair; carp good on doughbait; drum good on worms. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Missouri (below New Haven): 72 degrees, high, muddy;  channel catfish  fair on worms and prepared bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)


Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 76 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and chicken liver due to recent stocking; limit 4; bluegill fair on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; limit 4; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 6/9/2011)

    RIVERS

Big River: 66 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on liver and shrimp; black bass slow on minnows; carp fair on dough balls; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Bourbeuse (middle, lower, Franklin Co.): 71 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, worms and blood bait; black bass slow on minnows; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow on worms.
 (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Meramec (above Sullivan, Crawford Co.): 72 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; black bass slow on dark plastic baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Meramec (below Eureka): 72 degrees, falling, muddy; black bass fair; channel catfish fair on natural baits; crappie fair; carp good on doughbait; drum good on worms. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Missouri (below New Haven): 72 degrees, high, muddy;  channel catfish  fair on worms and prepared bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 6/9/2011)

Bring your ideas to an informational meeting at Pomme de Terre State Park June 17

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 9, 2011 -- The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Friday, June 17, at Pomme de Terre State Park near Pittsburg.  The informational meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburg area amphitheater and is open to the public.

Recent accomplishments at the park and future plans will be highlighted during the informational meeting. Visitors are invited to share comments on the park’s services and operations.  This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort to ensure citizens have input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

            The Pittsburg area of Pomme de Terre State Park is located just east of Pittsburg.  Travel on Hwy. 64 and turn north onto Hwy. 64B.  Continue straight to the park then turn left into the campground.  The amphitheater is located near the campground entrance on the right.

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 417-852-4291 or by calling the Department of Natural Resources 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. 

Outdoors Missouri

White River Valley Trail recognized with national award

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 7, 2011 – A new hiking and mountain biking trail in southwest Missouri is receiving national attention with an award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails.  

            The White River Valley Trail in Table Rock State Park near Branson has been recognized with the 2011 Coalition for Recreational Trails award in the Multi-Use Management and Corridor Sharing Category. The Coalition for Recreational Trails is a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations. Each year, the coalition presents achievement awards to projects that make outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program funds.

            The White River Valley Trail, a 10.25 miles natural surface trail outside of Branson, is the first designated mountain biking trail system in the area.  The trail is a joint land-use project between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with part of the trail within Table Rock State Park and the rest on USACE land. The trail was partially funded with Recreational Trails Program grants in FY 2007 and FY 2010.

            “Our primary goal for this trail is to provide a new recreational opportunity for people who enjoying hiking and mountain biking, which is a growing sport in this area,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “The support we received for this trail is amazing and building this trail would not have been possible without assistance from our partners and the community. That’s what makes this award even more special.”

In addition to the Corps of Engineers, the trail received support from the Branson and Hollister chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus, local city governments, Volunteers for Outdoor Missouri, students from Hollister school and College of the Ozarks, Boy Scouts working on Eagle Scout projects, and other volunteers.   

The land around Table Rock dam is under increasing demands for development and this trail will help preserve some of the scenic attractions in the area. The trail will take users through various natural community types, near old homestead ruins and relics of the Table Rock Dam construction during the 1950s. Table Rock State Park plans to host adventure events and mountain biking races on the trail. The trail is expected to be a major draw for visitors, which will help boost the economy of the surrounding area.

             Table Rock State Park is located at 5272 State Hwy. 165 southwest of Branson. For more information on the trail, call the park at 417-334-4704 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 Missouri state parks, visit mostateparks.com. 

Potential flooding temporarily closes Big Lake State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 7, 2011 – Big Lake State Park in northwest Missouri is closed in anticipation of possible flooding from rising water levels from the Missouri River. Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Park officials closed the park June 6 and will continue to evaluate the situation to determine when the park can reopen.

             “We have been working closely with federal, state and local officials and monitoring anticipated river levels to determine if and when water may impact Big Lake State Park,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “Based on the latest predictions, we decided to close the park and prepare for the approaching water,” Bryan added.

Because of its location on an oxbow lake near the Missouri River, Big Lake State Park has experienced flooding in the past and has plans in place for how to deal with flooding situations. In anticipation of the flooding, campers and lodging guests who had reservations were notified that the park is closed and refunds issued. Park staff began removing furniture and other items and shutting off utilities. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and reopen the park when it is safe for visitors to return.

Although Big Lake State Park is temporarily closed, there are other state parks in northwest Missouri that are open for campers and other visitors. These include Wallace State Park near Cameron, Weston Bend State Park near Weston and Watkins Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson. For information about these state parks, visit mostateparks.com.

To check the status of Big Lake State Park or for more information about Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com or call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (TDD).  To inquire about reservations for the motel and cabins, call 660-442-5432.

Department of Natural Resources seeking comments on proposed changes to Missouri’s water quality standards

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 3, 2011— The Missouri Department of Natural Resources opened a 60-day comment period today on a series of proposed changes to the state’s water quality standards.

The U.S. Clean Water Act requires the state to review its water quality standards every three years, and state law requires the department to report on the likely effects of any changes that are made to the standards. This report, known formally as a regulatory impact report, has been posted to the department’s website for public review through Aug. 2.

The regulatory impact report addresses the environmental benefits and economic costs associated with a number of proposed changes to the state’s water quality standards:

• Applying “fishable/swimmable” use designations to 84,845 miles of currently unclassified waters as required by the federal Clean Water Act.
• Expanding dissolved oxygen water quality criteria per federal guidance.
• Revising chloride water quality criteria in response to petition.
• Revising phenol water quality criteria in response to petition.
• Designating LaBarque Creek in Jefferson Co. as an outstanding state resource water in response to petition.
• Responding to the October 2009 Environmental Protection Agency decision that new or revised water quality standards are needed on a 28.6 mile segment of the Mississippi River near St. Louis.
• Authorizing provisions to provide the basis for recommending variances to water quality standards when standards are not achievable through traditional regulatory approaches.

A regulatory impact report is required at the beginning of the rulemaking process for rulemakings involving environmental standards or conditions.  The report documents the environmental benefits and economic costs associated with the upcoming rulemaking.

The report can be accessed on the Water Protection Program’s website at dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/rules/wpp-rule-dev.htm.  Copies of the report may be requested by calling 573-751-1300, by mail at Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, Attn: John Hoke, or by email at john.hoke@dnr.mo.gov.

Written comments regarding the report will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.   Comments should be addressed to John Hoke at the addresses above.  Please include your name, postal address and phone number when submitting email comments.

Department of Natural Resources seeking comments on Missourians’ recreational use of streams and rivers

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 3, 2011— The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on Missourians’ recreational use of more than 380 Missouri waterways. 

As part of a periodic review of state water quality standards required by the federal Clean Water Act, the Department of Natural Resources is considering revisions to the recreational use designations assigned to a number of Missouri streams and rivers.

The department recognizes that Missouri citizens know best how their local rivers and streams are used and wants those who are familiar with these water bodies to provide their input.  In particular, the department is looking for information on whether or not these streams are used by the public for swimming, fishing, wading, tubing or any other type of recreation.  This information is critical for helping to maintain appropriate water quality where these uses exist.

Each of the water bodies under review fell under a default designation in 2005 as being suitable for “whole body contact recreation,” meaning that people used or could use the river or stream for activities such as swimming, water skiing or skin diving.  

The department’s review of water quality standards will consider public input along with the results of stream surveys, conducted in 2007 and 2008 at the request of the Missouri Clean Water Commission, to determine whether these streams’ use designations should be adjusted to more accurately represent how they are being used or can be used.

These structured, scientific surveys, known as recreational use attainability analyses, or UAAs, combine stream depth measurements with interviews and public notification.  In addition to surveying for swimming use, the department looked for evidence of existing secondary contact recreation uses, such as fishing, wading and boating.

The data from each survey have been compiled and reviewed, and a recommendation has been made to either maintain or revise the current recreational use designations. These recommended use designations will ensure appropriate bacteria criteria are in place to protect attainable or existing recreational uses.

The department is committed to protecting the public who use our streams for recreation, while at the same time being careful not to cause small communities or ratepayers to pay higher fees to protect uses that do not exist or are not attainable.

Facilities with state operating permits allowing discharge of wastewater are required to meet the highest federal and state requirements.  A downgrade in a water body’s recreational designation does not exempt a facility from the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act or Missouri Clean Water Law.  The conditions of each facility’s state operating permit must continue to be followed and enforced.  Discharge of raw sewage is a violation of state and federal statute and will not be allowed.

To review the UAA information available online and see which streams may be affected, visit the department’s UAA website, dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/wqstandards/uaa/index.html.  This page includes an online survey to assist the public in submitting comments as well as a video that further explains the process.

Citizens also may submit comments by mail to: UAA Coordinator, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.  All comments received during the Recreational UAA public comment period, and any revised department recommendations, will be posted on the department’s UAA website.

The public comment period for this process runs through Dec. 31.

MDC fish hatchery uses diverse trout species to control parasites

Maramec Spring Fish Hatchery is raising brook trout to protect rainbow trout from parasitic copepods

ST. JAMES, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Maramec Spring Fish Hatchery is protecting its trout with more trout. The hatchery, which raises rainbow trout, is trying a new way of preventing parasitic infestation using brook trout.

Rainbow trout, along with several other west-coast fish species, are susceptible to a parasitic copepod called Salmincola californiensis. The tiny, shrimplike parasites, which are about the size of a pencil eraser, attach to fish gills, where they leave eggs and complete their life cycle. While the copepods are not a problem in the wild, they can become prolific in hatcheries that raise fish in high-density conditions. The copepods can attach in such high numbers that they weaken the fish, making them more prone to disease, and even causing the fish to suffocate.

According to Maramec Spring Fish Hatchery Manager Wes Swee, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently does not recognize any chemical treatments to control parasitic copepods.

A study at a California hatchery concluded that placing brook trout upstream from rainbow trout somehow filters copepod larvae from the water supply, reducing infestation. The reason for this is undetermined. Swee said one theory is that copepod larvae are specific to certain west-coast fishes and cannot complete their life cycle on other species, such as east-coast-native brook trout. According to Swee, the copepods attach to brook trout but do not produce eggs as they do on rainbow trout.

To test the theory on Missouri trout, the MDC is raising a small number of brook trout at Maramec Spring Fish Hatchery. In June the trout will be put in one pool above a pool of copepod-free rainbow trout from another hatchery. If successful, brook trout could be an effective biological control method for managing parasitic copepods in fish hatcheries.

Biological control methods are not a new concept. In fact, they are preferable when a food product like fish is involved. A comparable biological control method is the use of ladybugs to reduce aphid infestation in gardens.

“Using a biological pest control is better than using chemicals that may affect the safety of a food item such as fish,” Swee said.

Although the copepods themselves do not affect a fish’s food quality, protecting hatchery-raised rainbow trout from parasites is an effort to ensure the quality of Missouri’s trout fishing.

“Controlling the copepods will allow us to continue to stock healthy fish for the public,” Swee said. “The long-term goal is to provide Missouri anglers with healthy, more vigorous and more attractive rainbow trout that will put up a good fight for fishermen.”

Rainbow trout is the species most commonly stocked by MDC to provide trout fishing opportunities in designated Missouri waters. A limited number of brown trout, produced in MDC hatcheries, are also stocked in selected waters each year.

“There are no plans to release the brook trout into Missouri waters,” Swee said.

For more information on Maramec Spring Trout Park visit www.MissouriConservation.org and search “Maramec Spring Trout Park.” For information on Missouri’s other fish hatcheries, search “Fish Hatcheries and Trout Parks.”