Missouri Weekly Fishing Report

by Robert W. Hines 

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 24, 2014, 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

Lakes

Binder Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Blind Pony Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
the lake is 3' low; all species slow; the lake is closed to private boats and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
crappie slow on minnows and crappie jigs; black bass closed; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; catfish fair on worms and chicken livers.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Fair
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Slow
crappie good on minnows and jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and spoons; catfish slow on worms, chicken livers, stinkbaits and cut baits; black bass fair on soft plastic worms and crankbaits.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Good
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Slow
crappie good, have moved to deeper water because of the rain; black bass good; white bass and catfish slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Good
black bass fair; try using dark plastic lizards or spinnerbaits; crappie good, try using light colored jigs with Crappie Nibbles; catfish good, try using cut shad; white bass good, try using spinnerbaits.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
black bass fair, try using soft plastics or crankbaits; crappie good, try using light colored jigs; catfish good, try using cut shad; white bass fair, try using light colored plastics or spinnerbaits.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Little Dixie Lake

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on live minnows; all other species slow; all use including fishing is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Rivers

Lamine River

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
the river is 6' high and falling with a heavy current; all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Missouri River (Middle)

Information: 573-815-7900
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
blue catfish and channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and liver; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia)

Information: 573-346-2210
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
Black Bass
White Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
crappie slow, try minnows and jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; catfish fair on worms and chicken liver.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Kansas City

Lakes

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
All other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
water level 1' low; crappie fair using tube jigs near deep water brush piles; trout slow using Power Bait and small jigs.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Montrose Lake

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 62º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
All other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA)

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Truman Lake

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
Paddlefish: Slow
crappie good using minnows and jigs; catfish good in shallow water using fresh cut shad.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Truman Lake Tailwaters

Information: 660-885-6981
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Catfish: Good
White Bass: Fair
Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper; Whiterock Bass): Fair
Walleye: Good
catfish good using cut bait; walleye good using soft plastic baits.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Rivers

Missouri River (Kansas City area)

Information: 816-622-0900
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
the water level is steady; catfish are fair, the fish are lethargic with the cooler water temperatures; blue catfish and channel catfish are biting on cut bait and worms; shovelnose sturgeon are active and can be caught best on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Northeast

Lakes

Henry Sever Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Hunnewell Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Fair
largemouth bass fair using jig and frog; all other species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Long Branch Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Fair
crappie good on jigs and minnows near flooded timber; catfish fair on shad and goldfish; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Mark Twain Lake

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Fair
crappie fair on minnows in 10' of water; channel catfish and blue catfish fair in upper arms using stinkbait and cut shad; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Thomas Hill Reservoir

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Rivers

Mississippi River (upper)

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Freshwater Drum: Good
channel catfish fair on cut baits; freshwater drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Salt (below Mark Twain)

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 41º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Northwest

Lakes

Bilby Ranch Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
largemouth bass good on crankbaits; channel catfish good on cut bait; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Lake Paho

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Mozingo Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 43º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Channel Catfish: Good
Crappie: Good
Walleye: Good
Bluegill: Slow
43 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish good on natural baits; crappie and walleye good on minnows; bluegill slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Pony Express Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
largemouth bass moving to shallow water to spawn; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Smithville Lake

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Rivers

Grand River

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on cut shad and worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Missouri River (upper)

Information: 816-271-3100
Water Surface Temp: 41º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Flathead Catfish: Fair
Channel Catfish: Good
channel catfish good on shad sides and fair on worms; flathead catfish fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Ozark

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (East)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Fair
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
white bass and crappie fair on swimming minnows, jigs, and live bait; black bass fair on a variety of artificial lures.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Norfork Lake

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Fair
white bass good on swimming minnows and jigs; crappie fair on swimming minnows and jigs; black bass fair on a variety of artificial lures.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Rivers

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Bryant Creek

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Current River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Eleven Point River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
rainbow trout good on Power Bait and corn; all other species fair.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Gasconade River (middle)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Gasconade River (upper)

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Jacks Fork River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

North Fork of the White River

Information: 417-256-7161
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Southeast

Lakes

Clearwater Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 53º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Slow
White Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
crappie slow on jigs and minnows around mud flats and brush piles; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Council Bluff Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Redear Sunfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics and crankbaits; crappie fair on minnows; redear sunfish and bluegill fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Cypress Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
largemouth bass fair on artificial lures in 2 '- 3' of water; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 2' - 3' of water with mostly smaller fish being caught right now; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Largemouth Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Redear Sunfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Lake Girardeau

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Bluegill: Fair
Crappie: Fair
crappie and bluegill fair on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Perry County Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Largemouth Bass: Fair
crappie fair on minnows; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Robert DeLaney Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Wappapello Lake

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
Channel Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
crappie good using minnows and jigs; black bass fair using crankbaits; bluegill fair using worms; channel catfish fair using worms; all other species slow. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Recorded lake level and other information can be received by calling the Wappapello Lake Information Hotline at 573-222-8139 or 1-877-lake-info.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Rivers

Black River (above Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 54º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
White Bass: Slow
Smallmouth Bass: Slow
Northern Rock Bass (Goggle-Eye): Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Castor River (above Zalma)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Sunfish: Slow
all species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Mississippi River (Middle)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Blue Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
the river is falling at 25.0; channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish fair on cut bait, live bait and worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
crappie good on small jigs and minnows; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello Lake)

Information: 573-290-5730
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Channel Catfish: Fair
Flathead Catfish: Fair
channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbait; flathead catfish fair on trotlines with goldfish; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Southwest

Lakes

Bull Shoals Lake (West)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
Walleye: Fair
black bass good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Alabama Rigs (only 3 hooks allowed); white bass good on white Rooster Tails and swimming minnows; crappie fair on minnows, jigs, and small spoons around brush piles; walleye fair on jerkbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Lake Taneycomo

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
trout good in upper portion of the lake on white, olive/black 1/16 oz. marabou jigs, fluorescent orange glo balls while drifting with the current on spinning gear, Scuds and San Juan worms with fly rods also working well; trout good in lower portion of the lake on pink, white and orange Power Baits, corn, and nightcrawlers.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Crappie: Fair
Black Bass: Good
Walleye: Good
black bass good on crankbaits while casting along the shoreline and around points; walleye good upstream from lake boundary on yellow and chartreuse jigs; crappie fair on chartreuse jigs around trees and brush piles in 15' - 25' of water; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Stockton Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 50º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Walleye: Slow
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
crappie good on minnows and white plastic grubs with 1/8 oz. heads in 10' - 12' of water; black bass fair on jerkbaits in various colors, mainly chartreuse on flats and off points in 6' -15' of water; catfish slow, best on liver from banks of coves and points; walleye slow, best on plastic worms and minnows at the edge of bluffs and up into the lake arms; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Table Rock Lake

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Good
Crappie: Fair
crappie good on umbrella rigs, tube baits and jerkbaits off main points; crappie fair on white jigs during the day and purple jigs later in the evening around deep cover.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm)

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Fair
Crappie: Good
White Bass: Good
white bass good on white sliders, pearl white swimming minnows, and X-raps that dive to at least 6', live minnows also working well; crappie good on small jigs and minnows; black bass fair on swimbaits and spinnerbaits; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Rivers

James River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 47º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
White Bass: Good
Crappie: Good
Black Bass: Slow
Catfish: Slow
crappie good on 1/16 - 1/32 oz. black and pink jigs in 10' - 20' of water; white bass good on white and pink Road Runners in the morning and evenings; black bass slow, best on stickbaits and spider jigs on secondary points and in the channel; catfish slow, best on minnows and worms.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Niangua River

Information: 417-895-6880
Water Surface Temp: 59º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Fair
Brown Trout: Fair
rainbow and brown trout fair on brightly colored Power Bait and olive/dark colored flies; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

St. Louis

Lakes

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Fair
Catfish: Fair
Crappie: Fair
black bass slow on crankbaits; catfish fair on cut bait, doughbaits, blood baits and livers; bluegill fair on worms; crappie fair on minnows.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 52º
Water Level (Range): normal
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Fair
Bluegill: Fair
catfish slow on cut bait, doughbait, blood bait and livers; call the "Fish Stocking Hotline" (636) 300-9651 for stocking information.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Rivers

Big River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
All species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Bourbeuse River

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 48º
Water Level (Range): falling
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Crappie: Fair
crappie fair on minnows and jigs; all other species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): high
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Black Bass: Slow
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Slow
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 49º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: dingy
Fish Reported:
Black Bass: Slow
Catfish: Fair
Bluegill: Slow
Crappie: Fair
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Mississippi River (St. Louis Region)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Slow
All species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Missouri River (Lower)

Information: 636-441-4554
Water Surface Temp: 45º
Water Level (Range): rising
Water Type: muddy
Fish Reported:
Catfish: Slow
Freshwater Drum: Slow
All species slow.
(Reported on: 4/9/14)

Trout Parks

Trout Parks

Bennett Spring State Park

Information: Park 417-532-4418
Water Surface Temp: 56º
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: clear
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Fair
Zone 1 and 2 lures that are working well are: salmon, red & white, white, or creamsicle marabou jigs; red holographic or gold Cracklebacks, snow Rooster Tails, blue Rooster Tails, red brassie, multi-colored or gold tinsel mini jigs; Zone 3 baits that are popular are: salmon peach Power Bait and gold Power Bait dust; April fishing hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. April weed cutting is scheduled for April 22 & 23, weed cutting will begin in Zone 3 and move upstream, cutting will begin at 8:00 a.m. and stop around 3:00 p.m. Kids Free Fishing Day will be May 3rd, fishing will start at 6:30 a.m., exhibits will be from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., lunch will be provided to kids 15 and younger.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Maramec Spring Park

Information: 573-265-7801
Water Surface Temp: 57º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
Brown Trout: Good
Fishing is good, the spring branch has normal flow and the water is clear to dingy due to sporadic rainfall in the area; trout worms in orange, black/yellow, red, green/white, and orange/white are producing good fish; fish are biting on green/white, black/white, and green/yellow rubber leg jigs; remember to use lightweight line and small tackle; fishing hours for the month of April are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kid's Free Fishing Day is Saturday May 17, 2014. For more information, call 573-265-7801.
(Reported on: 4/7/14)

Montauk State Park

Information: 573-548-2585
Water Surface Temp: 55º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
the water level is normal and running clear and the river level is currently 1.59' at the lower end of the park; 4 lb. test fishing line or lighter is recommended; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; most flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, olive colors and other dark colors are working well, some colors work better at different times of the day; the best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. April fishing hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For up-to-date stream conditions checkhttp://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Roaring River State Park

Information: 417-847-2430
Water Surface Temp: 58º
Water Level (Range): -none-
Water Type: -none-
Fish Reported:
Rainbow Trout: Good
the river is in good shape, the water level is slowly rising after the recent rains and is starting to get a little dingy; right now using 6X tippet on fly rods and 7X when fishing dry flies; best flies right now are Adams, blue wing olives, caddis fly, zebra midges, pheasant tails, copper johns, burlaps and sow bugs; black, brown, and olive Rooster Tails; small Colorado wooly bugger spinner combos; orange, white, and fluorescent yellow Power Bait eggs; plastic worms in orange, cheese, pink, and orange peel; marabou jig fishing is good right now on a spin or casting reel, with the dingy water it is okay to use shorter leaders with larger line; if you are spin fishing, 4 lb. Maxima or P-line works well right now; still using #10 hooks on the worms and #12 and smaller for the plastic eggs; 3/0 and BB sized sinkers will work best for you right now; Zone 3 fishing is good on Power Bait paste, white has been good and orange has been working; also corn, nightcrawlers and natural eggs have been working.
(Reported on: 4/8/14)

Fish Management Notice

Trout Stocking

The Conservation Department stocks trout in each of the trout parks every evening from the day before the March 1 opener through Oct. 30. Tag sale estimates determine a daily stocking rate average of 2.25 fish per expected angler. Except on opening day, three fish are stocked for every expected angler. From March 1 to Oct. 31, the parks will collectively sell more than 400,000 tags and stock more than 900,000 fish. These fish will average about 12 inches long over the season, but some variation occurs. Dozens of lunkers weighing upwards of 3 pounds are stocked each year. A few tip the scales at more than 10 pounds.

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Three Conservation Department employees honored

Columbia residents receive Conservationist of the Year Awards

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Three Columbia residents who work for the Missouri Department of

Conservation were honored with Conservationist of the Year Awards at the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) 78th annual conference in Jefferson City March 21.

CFM’s Conservationist of the Year Awards Program honors individuals and organizations that make outstanding contributions in various conservation fields. Columbians honored this year included:

Joanie Straub, Conservation Communicator of the Year. Straub is a media specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. She is credited with taking conservation communication to an unprecedented level in central and northeastern Missouri. Her efforts include reaching more than 400,000 viewers and listeners through partnerships with radio and television stations.  She also coordinated the first-ever conservation awareness event at an MU Tigers football game, reaching 65,000 fans with educational messages about Operation Game Thief, hunter education, and fish and wildlife habitat.

Ann Koenig, Forest Conservationist of the Year. An urban forester with the Conservation Department, Koenig currently works on special assignment to create and implement a campaign encouraging all Missourians to appreciate their trees. This new project, known as Trees Work, is designed to increase public awareness of the aesthetic, social, health, environmental, and economic benefits of healthy trees in cities and suburbs as well as rural areas. The campaign uses the full range of media to communicate the message that trees work for Missourians in many ways.

Chris McLeland, Soil Conservationist of the Year. A private land services biologist for the Conservation Department, McLeland was recognized for his efforts to promote the benefits of cover crops for water quality, agricultural productivity, and wildlife habitat. He formed the Cover Crops Working Group comprising representatives of several agencies, universities, and the Conservation Department. He coordinated efforts to document cover crop benefits and develop a suggested do-not-plant list of cover crops that can become invasive or provide little or no wildlife benefit. These efforts led to a research grant to examine the potential effect of diverse cover crops on insects, grassland birds, small game, and other wildlife species.

Any resident of Missouri is eligible to be nominated for a Conservationist of the Year Award. Visitbit.ly/1hcuO5j for more information.

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Public input sought for Hi Ridge grasslands plan

 The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year processApril 1 through April 30.

of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments. A draft plan for grassland conservation lands in the Sedalia and Cole Camp areas will be available for public comment

   To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.

   The Hi Ridge Grasslands Focus Area Management Plan includes 11 conservation areas owned or managed by MDC. These areas include prairie remnants, land with restored native grasses and wildflowers, or land with cool-season grasses. The conservation areas in the plan include Bruns Tract, Bryson's Hope, Drovers Prairie, Friendly Prairie, Grandfather Prairie, Hartwell, Hi Lonesome Prairie, Ionia Ridge, Mora, Paint Brush Prairie, and W.R. Kearn Memorial Conservation Area.

   Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.

   “Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “These areas help people discover nature through various activities, and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.”

   Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regulations on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.

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Discover Nature Women Spring Fling

Last chance to register!

You are invited to experience the Discover Nature Women Spring Fling April 25-27 at the Lake Doniphan Conference and Retreat Center in Excelsior Springs, MO. This weekend retreat workshop provides a safe friendly environment where women can experience hands-on training in outdoor skills by a team of professional instructors. Courses include archery, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, Orienteering, outdoor cooking, and an introduction to wild edible plants. Registration ends April 8 at 6:00 pm. For more information, contact Lisa LaCombe at816-665-6263 X 232 or lisa.lacombe@mdc.mo.gov

This workshop provides a safe and friendly environment where women experience hands-on outdoor skills training with a team of professionals.

Spring turkey outlook good for much of Missouri

Missouri turkey hunters have reason to be optimistic about the 2014 spring turkey season,

according to the state’s turkey expert.

Missouri’s spring turkey season runs from April 21 through May 11. The youth season takes place April 12 and 13. This year’s hunting regulations are nearly the same as last year.

One difference is in tagging requirements. Hunters no longer need to attach their voided permits to harvested turkeys, as long as they remain with the turkey. If you are away from your turkey, you must attach your voided permit to the bird’s leg.

Labeling requirements also have changed. In previous years, turkeys had to be labeled with the taker’s name, address, and Telecheck confirmation number before someone other than the taker could transport or possess the turkey. Beginning this year, date of harvest also must be included in the labeling information.

Before someone other than the taker can transport a turkey that has been reported through the Telecheck system, it must be labeled with the date taken, the taker’s name, address, and Telecheck confirmation number.

Also new this year is the addition of crossbows and atlatls to take turkeys during the spring season. Managed turkey hunts will be held on several additional conservation areas this spring. Details about these and other turkey hunting regulations are available in the 2014 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulation and Information booklet, which is available from hunting permit vendors and Conservation Department offices statewide. The booklet also is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/4066.

SEASON FORECAST

Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle is in charge of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s wild turkey-management program. When asked about prospects for this year’s spring turkey season, he pointed to turkey reproduction statistics from the past three years. Observers throughout much of the state reported strong production in 2011 and 2012. That means hunters in these areas can expect to see strong numbers of 2- and 3-year-old gobblers this year.

Hunters prize 3-year-old gobblers are prized by hunters because their greater experience makes them challenging to hunt. They have longer spurs and weigh more on average than younger birds, giving them a higher status among hunters.

On the other hand, 2-year-old gobblers are more likely than younger or older birds to gobble lustily and often. Lots of gobbling makes hunting more exciting, so much so that most hunters consider gobbling activity the most important part of a good hunt.

“Hunters throughout much of the state should be in for a good spring turkey season,” says Isabelle. “There should be quite a bit of gobbling and good numbers of adult birds for hunters to pursue.”

Isabelle noted that wild-turkey production dipped last year, so 1-year-old gobblers – commonly called jakes – will be less abundant this spring. That won’t affect the quality of hunting all that much now, but it should be a caution to hunters who want to continue hearing lots of gobbling in the future.

“Hunting is a substantial source of mortality for male turkeys,” says Isabelle. “Most jakes survive to be 2-year-old gobblers. Of course, jakes are legal to harvest in Missouri and they do make excellent table fare, but for those hunters interested in having more adult gobblers in their hunting area in the future, passing up opportunities to shoot jakes is one way to achieve that.”

Predicting any given year’s turkey harvest is difficult, because weather exerts a strong influence on turkey behavior and hunter effort. With more-or-less-average weather, Isabelle says he expects this year’s state-wide spring turkey harvest to be close to last year’s combined total of about 46,000 for the youth and regular seasons.

Turkey numbers vary among regions in Missouri. Although hunter success tends to be lower in the Ozarks, where large tracts of timber make hunting more difficult, hunters in southern Missouri are likely to notice an increase in turkey numbers, particularly in eastern counties.

“We’ve seen some very good production for the last three years in the eastern Ozarks,” says Isabelle. “This good production should translate into some great hunting opportunities. Another region of the state where I expect to see an increase in harvest is the Ozark border, including counties like Cedar, St. Clair, Hickory, Polk, Christian, and Webster.”

He says he doesn’t expect much change in turkey harvest from last year in most of the rest of the state. Exceptions include parts of northwest, west-central, and southwest Missouri, where production has not shown the improvements that it has elsewhere. Offsetting this, however, are the tactical advantages hunters enjoy in northern Missouri, where wooded tracts are smaller and more scattered. In these areas, turkeys are more visible and decoys are generally more effective in bringing turkeys within range.

Isabelle says he doesn’t expect this year’s severe winter weather to affect turkey hunting.

“I don’t think that the conditions we experienced this winter negatively affected turkey survival,” he says. “Turkeys can deal with cold weather quite well. Although we did get a few snow storms, none of the totals that we saw or the length of time that snow conditions persisted were severe enough to negatively impact turkey survival. 

HUNTING CONDITIONS

Missouri’s spring turkey season always opens on the third Monday of April. Under this formula, the earliest the season opener can occur is April 15, as it did last year. The latest it can fall is April 21, as it does this year. Isabelle says this timing is designed to put hunters in the woods when gobbling activity is near its peak, while being cautious not to interfere with turkey reproduction. It is based on studies showing that peak gobbling typically occurs in mid-April, though weather can shift it a week or two earlier or later. “We understand that many hunters prefer an early spring season, so our goal is to balance the desires of hunters with the biology of the bird. We want hunters to have a great experience, but we also want to make sure that the bulk of our hens are bred, and a portion of them nesting, before the season starts,” says Isabelle.

According to Isabelle, the main difference hunters can expect with this year’s late season opener is more advanced green-up of vegetation.

“Assuming normal weather conditions in the next few weeks, the woods will be bit greener, especially during the last week of the season, than they would be when the season starts earlier,” says Isabelle. “This can make gobbling a bit more difficult to hear, but it also allows hunters more freedom to move through the woods unseen as they set up on a gobbler.”

HUNTING TIPS

Isabelle rates pre-season scouting as one of the most important factors in determining hunter success. This includes going out before the season to study turkeys’ behavior patterns.

“Get out early in the morning and listen for birds at your hunting location,” he says. “If you do this enough times, you’ll develop a sense of which areas are being used more than others. Get out there and look for areas in the timber where birds have scratched through the leaves in search of food. These are excellent spots to set up in later in the morning if early morning efforts did not result in success.”

For those hunting areas dominated by opeMissouri turkey hunters have reason to be optimistic about the 2014 spring turkey season, according to the state’s turkey expert.

Missouri’s spring turkey season runs from April 21 through May 11. The youth season takes place April 12 and 13. This year’s hunting regulations are nearly the same as last year.

One difference is in tagging requirements. Hunters no longer need to attach their voided permits to harvested turkeys, as long as they remain with the turkey. If you are away from your turkey, you must attach your voided permit to the bird’s leg.

Labeling requirements also have changed. In previous years, turkeys had to be labeled with the taker’s name, address, and Telecheck confirmation number before someone other than the taker could transport or possess the turkey. Beginning this year, date of harvest also must be included in the labeling information.

Before someone other than the taker can transport a turkey that has been reported through the Telecheck system, it must be labeled with the date taken, the taker’s name, address, and Telecheck confirmation number.

Also new this year is the addition of crossbows and atlatls to take turkeys during the spring season. Managed turkey hunts will be held on several additional conservation areas this spring. Details about these and other turkey hunting regulations are available in the 2014 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulation and Information booklet, which is available from hunting permit vendors and Conservation Department offices statewide. The booklet also is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/4066.

SEASON FORECAST

Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle is in charge of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s wild turkey-management program. When asked about prospects for this year’s spring turkey season, he pointed to turkey reproduction statistics from the past three years. Observers throughout much of the state reported strong production in 2011 and 2012. That means hunters in these areas can expect to see strong numbers of 2- and 3-year-old gobblers this year.

Hunters prize 3-year-old gobblers are prized by hunters because their greater experience makes them challenging to hunt. They have longer spurs and weigh more on average than younger birds, giving them a higher status among hunters.

On the other hand, 2-year-old gobblers are more likely than younger or older birds to gobble lustily and often. Lots of gobbling makes hunting more exciting, so much so that most hunters consider gobbling activity the most important part of a good hunt.

“Hunters throughout much of the state should be in for a good spring turkey season,” says Isabelle. “There should be quite a bit of gobbling and good numbers of adult birds for hunters to pursue.”

Isabelle noted that wild-turkey production dipped last year, so 1-year-old gobblers – commonly called jakes – will be less abundant this spring. That won’t affect the quality of hunting all that much now, but it should be a caution to hunters who want to continue hearing lots of gobbling in the future.

“Hunting is a substantial source of mortality for male turkeys,” says Isabelle. “Most jakes survive to be 2-year-old gobblers. Of course, jakes are legal to harvest in Missouri and they do make excellent table fare, but for those hunters interested in having more adult gobblers in their hunting area in the future, passing up opportunities to shoot jakes is one way to achieve that.”

Predicting any given year’s turkey harvest is difficult, because weather exerts a strong influence on turkey behavior and hunter effort. With more-or-less-average weather, Isabelle says he expects this year’s state-wide spring turkey harvest to be close to last year’s combined total of about 46,000 for the youth and regular seasons.

Turkey numbers vary among regions in Missouri. Although hunter success tends to be lower in the Ozarks, where large tracts of timber make hunting more difficult, hunters in southern Missouri are likely to notice an increase in turkey numbers, particularly in eastern counties.

“We’ve seen some very good production for the last three years in the eastern Ozarks,” says Isabelle. “This good production should translate into some great hunting opportunities. Another region of the state where I expect to see an increase in harvest is the Ozark border, including counties like Cedar, St. Clair, Hickory, Polk, Christian, and Webster.”

He says he doesn’t expect much change in turkey harvest from last year in most of the rest of the state. Exceptions include parts of northwest, west-central, and southwest Missouri, where production has not shown the improvements that it has elsewhere. Offsetting this, however, are the tactical advantages hunters enjoy in northern Missouri, where wooded tracts are smaller and more scattered. In these areas, turkeys are more visible and decoys are generally more effective in bringing turkeys within range.

Isabelle says he doesn’t expect this year’s severe winter weather to affect turkey hunting.

“I don’t think that the conditions we experienced this winter negatively affected turkey survival,” he says. “Turkeys can deal with cold weather quite well. Although we did get a few snow storms, none of the totals that we saw or the length of time that snow conditions persisted were severe enough to negatively impact turkey survival. 

HUNTING CONDITIONS

Missouri’s spring turkey season always opens on the third Monday of April. Under this formula, the earliest the season opener can occur is April 15, as it did last year. The latest it can fall is April 21, as it does this year. Isabelle says this timing is designed to put hunters in the woods when gobbling activity is near its peak, while being cautious not to interfere with turkey reproduction. It is based on studies showing that peak gobbling typically occurs in mid-April, though weather can shift it a week or two earlier or later. “We understand that many hunters prefer an early spring season, so our goal is to balance the desires of hunters with the biology of the bird. We want hunters to have a great experience, but we also want to make sure that the bulk of our hens are bred, and a portion of them nesting, before the season starts,” says Isabelle.

According to Isabelle, the main difference hunters can expect with this year’s late season opener is more advanced green-up of vegetation.

“Assuming normal weather conditions in the next few weeks, the woods will be bit greener, especially during the last week of the season, than they would be when the season starts earlier,” says Isabelle. “This can make gobbling a bit more difficult to hear, but it also allows hunters more freedom to move through the woods unseen as they set up on a gobbler.”

HUNTING TIPS

Isabelle rates pre-season scouting as one of the most important factors in determining hunter success. This includes going out before the season to study turkeys’ behavior patterns.

“Get out early in the morning and listen for birds at your hunting location,” he says. “If you do this enough times, you’ll develop a sense of which areas are being used more than others. Get out there and look for areas in the timber where birds have scratched through the leaves in search of food. These are excellent spots to set up in later in the morning if early morning efforts did not result in success.”

For those hunting areas dominated by open land, he recommends sitting on high spots scanning the surrounding area with binoculars.

“Turkeys generally do not use all portions of a field the same. They have preferences for certain areas, and knowing where those areas are ahead of the season will increase your chances of success.”

SAFETY

Once the season starts, Isabelle urges hunters to avoid the main cause of firearms-related turkey-hunting incidents – mistaking or being mistaken by another hunter for game. He notes that the vast majority of spring turkey hunting incidents involve hunters who fail to positively identify their targets.

“Turkey hunting is an exciting activity,” says Isabelle, “but hunters should never let that excitement cloud their judgment. Before pulling the trigger, hunters must be absolutely certain that what they are shooting at is not only a turkey, but a legal turkey, which would be a male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard during the spring season.”

Isabelle also mentioned the importance of “defensive hunting.” This means taking measures to avoid being put in a potentially dangerous situation. One way to do this is to wear hunter-orange clothing when moving through woods or fields. This alerts other hunters to your presence. Another important safety precaution is to never attempt to sneak within shotgun range of a gobbler. Use your calls to bring the bird within range.

When hunting with one or more companions, it is critical that everyone in the hunting party know the others’ locations. The safest way to accomplish this is to stay together. If you do separate, agree on a plan for where everyone will hunt and stay in those areas until meeting at a designated spot. “Many hunting incidents involve hunters from the same party,” says Isabelle. “When you’re hunting with someone else, it is critical that you always know where they will be located.”

The Conservation Department’s First Turkey Program is a great way to memorialize a hunter’s first successful hunt. The program provides a free commemorative certificate suitable for framing. You can even add a photo of the proud hunter with his or her bird. Creating a tangible reminder of a once-in-a-lifetime experience begins with visiting mdc.mo.gov/node/10469. The same site has forms for a hunter’s first deer for youths or adults.n land, he recommends sitting on high spots scanning the surrounding area with binoculars.

“Turkeys generally do not use all portions of a field the same. They have preferences for certain areas, and knowing where those areas are ahead of the season will increase your chances of success.”

SAFETY

Once the season starts, Isabelle urges hunters to avoid the main cause of firearms-related turkey-hunting incidents – mistaking or being mistaken by another hunter for game. He notes that the vast majority of spring turkey hunting incidents involve hunters who fail to positively identify their targets.

“Turkey hunting is an exciting activity,” says Isabelle, “but hunters should never let that excitement cloud their judgment. Before pulling the trigger, hunters must be absolutely certain that what they are shooting at is not only a turkey, but a legal turkey, which would be a male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard during the spring season.”

Isabelle also mentioned the importance of “defensive hunting.” This means taking measures to avoid being put in a potentially dangerous situation. One way to do this is to wear hunter-orange clothing when moving through woods or fields. This alerts other hunters to your presence. Another important safety precaution is to never attempt to sneak within shotgun range of a gobbler. Use your calls to bring the bird within range.

When hunting with one or more companions, it is critical that everyone in the hunting party know the others’ locations. The safest way to accomplish this is to stay together. If you do separate, agree on a plan for where everyone will hunt and stay in those areas until meeting at a designated spot. “Many hunting incidents involve hunters from the same party,” says Isabelle. “When you’re hunting with someone else, it is critical that you always know where they will be located.”

The Conservation Department’s First Turkey Program is a great way to memorialize a hunter’s first successful hunt. The program provides a free commemorative certificate suitable for framing. You can even add a photo of the proud hunter with his or her bird. Creating a tangible reminder of a once-in-a-lifetime experience begins with visiting mdc.mo.gov/node/10469. The same site has forms for a hunter’s first deer for youths or adults.

Related articles

• Weather didn't hurt first-week turkey harvest (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Land care workshop offered in Odessa

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Odessa, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free workshop on land management practices that benefit wildlife, waterways and farm operations 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at St. George Catholic Parish Hall, 706 S. Third St., in Odessa.

   This workshop will offer tips for farmers or for those who own property devoted to hunting and fishing opportunities. Topics covered will include:

·        Timber stand thinning to improve tree health and wildlife habitat.

·        MDC on-site assistance, cost share programs and USDA program opportunities.

·        Planting trees along creeks to hold soil.

·        Establishing native grasses and wildflowers for wildlife and cattle.

·        Buffer strips for wildlife habitat and cropland production.

   To register, send an e-mail to paul.whitsell@mdc.mo.gov or call 816-655-6263, ext. 245.