Showing posts with label Mark Twain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Twain. Show all posts

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Water Quality a problem at more Missouri Beaches

Aerial photomosaic of the Lake of the Ozarks i...

Five state park swimming beaches have temporarily closed for water quality issues, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The state park beaches at Harry S Truman located in Warsaw, Lake of the Ozarks’ Grand Glaize beach located in Osage Beach, Pomme de Terre’s Pittsburg beach located in Pittsburg, St. Joe’s Monsanto Lake beach located in Park Hills and Wakonda located in La Grange are closed following results of water samples taken Monday that indicated bacteria levels higher than those recommended for waters used for swimming. Once tests from the public beaches indicate the bacteria levels are within the standard suitable for swimming, the beaches will reopen. The swimming beach at Mark Twain remains closed due to flooding conditions.

Harry S Truman, Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme de Terre and St. Joe state parks have a second designated swimming beach that remains open to the public. Visitors to Harry S Truman state park may stop by the office or fee booth to obtain a pass free of charge to swim at the campground beach. Visitors may also enjoy the beaches at Lake of the Ozarks’ Public Beach #1, Pomme de Terre’s Hermitage Beach, and St. Joe’s Pim Lake beach.

The department collects water samples from all designated beaches in the state park system weekly during the recreational season to determine suitability for swimming. Beaches will be closed for high bacteria when a single E. coli sample exceeds 235 cfu/100ml or when the geometric mean – a 30-day rolling average – exceeds 126 cfu/100 ml. The sample test results indicate a snap shot of the water quality taken at the beaches at a specific time; however, a single sample does not provide an overall sense of the water quality in the lake where the beach is located.

The department will post the information about the beach status on the website at dnr.mo.gov as well as mostateparks.com. Visitors to Missouri State Parks are able to sign up to receive free electronic notices about the status of state park beaches while visiting the department’s beach status website.

Missouri's state parks and historic sites offer something to suit everyone's taste - outdoor adventure, great scenery and a bit of history. With Missouri's 87 state parks and historic sites, the possibilities are boundless. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites and swimming beaches, visit mostateparks.com.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Weekly Fishing Report, 5/31/2012

CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

    LAKES

Binder Lake: 74 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on crickets;  largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics;  channel catfish fair on cut baits and stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 79 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow; the lake is closed to private boats, and bait held or transported in containers with water is prohibited. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 81 degrees, dingy; black bass fair using dark colore
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) may be f...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
d soft plastics and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on stinkbaits, cut baits and worms.
 (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 75 degrees, dingy; catfish fair; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 75 degrees, dingy; black bass good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits; crappie slow, try minnows or small lures with spinners; white bass fair using light colored soft plastics; catfish good using worms and cut baits; sunfish good using worms.
 (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 75 degrees, dingy; black bass good using soft plastics and crankbaits; crappie slow, try minnows and jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles; white bass fair using light colored soft plastics; catfish good using cut bait and worms; sunfish good on worms.
 (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 73 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits; channel catfish good on chicken liver; bluegill good on earthworms; crappie fair on jigs; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: The water level is slightly above normal, rising slowly from Otterville to the mouth of the Blackwater River; channel catfish good from Roberts Bluff Access downstream to Harriman Hill Access on setlines baited with shad sides; blue catfish fair on setlines baited with bluegill and goldfish downstream from De Bourgmont Access to the Missouri River; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Missouri River (middle): low, channel catfish and blue catfish good on goldfish and cut bait; flathead catfish good on live sunfish and bluegill; buffalo and drum fair on worms;  all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish slow, try worms, cut shad, chicken livers and stinkbaits.

 (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish slow, try worms, cut shad, chicken livers and stinkbaits.
 (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 80 degrees, low, clear; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species fair; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 79 degrees, clear; full pool; bluegill good; channel catfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass and crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Montrose Lake: 85 degrees, normal, dingy; catfish fair; crappie slow; white bass slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 80 degrees, low, dingy; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Truman Lake: 78 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good summer pattern on jigs and minnows; black bass fair on spinners and buzzbaits; white bass fair; hybrid striped bass fair; catfish good on fresh cut bait and shad. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 78 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs and minnows; catfish good on cut baits and shad; black bass fair; white bass and hybrid striped bass good when water is running.  (Report made on 5/31/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 74 degrees, rising, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 79 degrees, low, dingy; crappie good using blue and white jigs; largemouth bass good using  flukes; channel catfish good using stinkbaits; bluegill good using nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 72 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair; channel catfish fair on shrimp, cut bait, live bait and leeches; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Mark Twain: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; catfish good on live bait and nightcrawlers; white bass good on minnows and jigs off the points; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Sever: 75 degrees, low, clear; bluegill good on crickets and small poppers near beds; catfish good on nightcrawlers, liver and doughbaits; black bass good on topwater baits at dawn and dusk; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 75 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass fair; hybrid striped bass fair using copper and brass rattle lures; all other species slow.   (Report made on 5/30/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 74 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on stinkbait, nightcrawlers and crayfish; flathead catfish good on live bait and crayfish; blue catfish good on cut bait; drum good on nightcrawlers; shovelnose sturgeon good on nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 75 degrees, normal, muddy; catfish good on stinkbait, nightcrawlers and live bait; black bass fair on worms and spinners; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 78 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on liver; black bass good on topwater lures in early morning or dusk; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Lake Paho: 71 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on artificial and natural baits; channel catfish fair on commercial type baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 71 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish, bluegill and black bass good; all other species fair.  (Report m
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
ade on 5/31/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 72 degrees, normal, clear; catfish good on cut bait and chicken livers; bluegill good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/29/2012)

Smithville Lake: 72 degrees, clear; crappie fair; black bass good on topwater lures in early morning and late evening; channel catfish good on live bait; white bass fair near the dam in the evenings. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 71 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 71 degrees, normal, muddy; channel catfish good on worms and dip bait; flathead catfish good on live baits; blue catfish good on cut bait. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 79 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Norfork Lake: 77 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 68 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass good on soft plastic baits. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 73 degrees, low, clear; black bass and goggle-eye fair on live bait and slow on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Bryant Creek: 74 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics, all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Current River: 71 degrees, low, clear; all species good on plastics and buzzbaits. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Eleven Point River: 60 degrees, low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 69 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass good on soft plastic baits. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 77 degrees, low, dingy; goggle-eye, black bass and sunfish fair o
English: Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
n soft plastics and nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Jacks Fork: 70 degrees, low, clear; all species good on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 66 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics, trout fair on artificial and live baits. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 85 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on artificial lures; bluegill and catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 78 degrees, normal, clear; redear sunfish fair on worms and crickets; channel catfish good on liver and worms; largemouth bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and topwater lures during low light periods; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Cypress Lake: 78 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms, crickets and stickbaits; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms; largemouth bass good on minnows, jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie fair on minnows and jigs. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 81 degrees, falling, clear; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets and worms; largemouth bass good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Perry County Lake: 82 degrees, clear; redear sunfish good on crickets; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics; channel catfish good on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 85 degrees, normal, bluegill good on crickets; channel catfish good on crickets, minnows, stinkbaits and spinnerbaits in shallow water (they are beginning to spawn); all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Wappapello Lake: low, black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits early and late; bluegill fair on crickets and worms near the shore; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait and nightcrawlers at night; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 78 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass fair on live minnows; channel catfish fair on live minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 70 degrees, dingy; black bass good on minnows and jigs (12" minimum length); channel catfish fair on live bait and worms; suckers fair on worms; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; black bass good on minnows; longear and green sunfish good on curly tail jigs, best jig colors are black, white and pink; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): rising, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good on worms and cut bait; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): low, clear; black bass good on tube jigs and large minnows; sunfish good on small minnows and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 75 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on chicken liver, stinkbait and worms; flathead catfish fair on goldfish and green sunfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 57-61 degrees, normal, clear; Dam Area - black bass fair on soft plastics and nightcrawlers; crappie fair on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and nightcrawlers; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; walleye fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on flies (scuds, midges, nymphs and San Juan worms), Rooster Tails and crankbaits, orange and chartreuse glo balls also working well when drifted with the current; trout good in lower portion of lake on Gulp power eggs in chartreuse, pink and white, live nightcrawlers injected with air causing them to float are also working well. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 79 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on minnows and jigs in 15 - 35' of water; black bass good on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs in the back of coves and in structure; walleye fair on bottom bouncers and jig and minnow or jig and earthworm combinations off of points; catfish fair on cut bait using trotlines or jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Stockton Lake: 72 degrees, high, dingy; catfish good on liver or earthworms from the bank in coves and off points; crappie slow, best on minnows and blue and white colored artificial lures in 20 - 25' of water; black bass slow, best on various colored jerkbaits, mainly chartreuse, blue, and white off points in 12 - 18' of water; walleye slow, best on artificial worms in 25' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 72 degrees, low, dingy; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, hula grubs, tube baits and extra large plastic worms, pumpkin, watermelon, motor oil and plum colors working well; catfish good on crayfish tails, nightcrawlers, cut shad, small live sunfish and chicken liver, use trotlines or limb lines; bluegill good on live earthworms and crickets, also try small soft plastic tube jigs, natural cricket color or black, red, and white with 1/8 oz. jig head working well; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 76 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on topwater lures in calm water early in the morning, later use deep running crankbaits, football style jigs or spoons in 20' of water as temperatures rise; crappie good on live minnows or small plastics in standing timber or over brush piles in 15 - 20' of water; flathead catfish good on small bluegill; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers or chicken livers; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water around cover. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 76 degrees, falling, clear; black bass good on Strike King Series 6 crankbaits on Carolina rigs around pole timber and large rocks in 20' of water; white bass good on white 1/2 oz. spoon baits in 20 - 25' of water; crappie good on green pumpkin jigs and minnows around bush in 10 - 25' of water; catfish good on live bait, cut bait and earthworms using pole and line or trotlines. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

Niangua River: 62 degrees, high, muddy; black bass slow, best on soft plastics and natural baits; goggle-eye slow, best on natural baits and jigs; trout slow, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/30/2012)

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ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 71 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on livers, worms and blood bait; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow; please remove litter.
 (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 72 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, worms, doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 5/31/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 68 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on either 3" bluegill or goldfish, liver and blood bait; black bass fair on minnows; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 74 degrees, low, dingy; black bass fair on plastic worms and crankbaits; channel catfish good on blood bait and cut bait; crappie slow on minnows; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species fair on worms.
 (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 78 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish fair on cut bait; black bass fair on crankbaits and soft plastics; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 78 degrees, low, clear; channel catfish good on cut bait and worms; black bass good on plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species slow on corn and doughbait. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 66 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and live sunfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

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TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is about normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: white colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; cream colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; brown and yellow colored and black and white colored marabou jigs; bumblebee colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored and red and white colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: pink and white colored plastic worms; white colored and yellow colored Power Baits, salmon eggs. Fishing hou
English: Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) s...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
rs for June are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, low, clear; fishing is good; the water is very clear; use very light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in shady areas and deep holes, below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in light colors are producing good numbers of fish; orange worms are producing well; fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., June hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly low; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well; best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. May fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., June fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, clear; the river is getting low; use 2 pound test or lighter; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets.  (Report made on 5/31/2012)

Friday, May 25, 2012

Weekly Fishing Report, 5/24/2012

P. annularis
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, 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 Lake: 72 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on crickets and worms;  largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics;  crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 72 degrees, normal, dingy; sunfish and channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers;  largemouth bass fair on soft plastics;  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 5/23/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 77 degrees, dingy; black bass fair using dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on stinkbaits, cut baits and worms.
 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 71 degrees, dingy; black bass and catfish fair; crappie and white bass slow.
 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 71 degrees, dingy; black bass good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits; crappie slow, try minnows or small lures with spinners; white bass fair using light colored soft plastics; catfish good using worms and cut baits; sunfish good using worms.
 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 71 degrees, dingy; black bass good using soft plastics and crankbaits; crappie slow, try minnows and jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles; white bass fair using light colored soft plastics; catfish good using cut bait and worms; sunfish good on worms.
 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 73 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish good on chicken liver; bluegill good on earthworms; crappie fair on live minnows and white jigs; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: 1' below normal level; channel catfish and flathead catfish good on setlines baited with bullhead and bluegill from I-70 upstream to Shackelford bridge; channel catfish and blue catfish good on setlines baited with bluegill downstream from De Bourgmont Access to the Missouri River; crappie good on minnows at Old Highway 50 Access near Otterville; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Missouri River (middle): low, channel catfish and blue catfish good on worms and cut bait; flathead catfish good on live bullhead and bluegill; buffalo and drum fair on worms;  all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass season opens May 26th, fair on worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish slow, try worms, cut shad, chicken livers and stinkbaits.

 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass season opens May 26th, fair on worms and dark colored soft plastics; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try crappie jigs and minnows; catfish slow, try worms, cut shad, chicken livers and stinkbaits.
 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 74 degrees, low, dingy; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 78 degrees, clear; full pool; bluegill and redear sunfish good; channel catfish,   largemouth bass and crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Montrose Lake: 75 degrees, normal, dingy; white bass fair; catfish fair; crappie slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 75 degrees, normal, dingy; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Truman Lake: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good summer pattern, 14 - 40' deep on jigs and minnows; black bass fair on spinners and buzzbaits in creek backs and pockets; white bass good when water is running, on jigs and crankbaits; hybrid bass good when water is running; catfish good on rod and reel, jug lines and trotlines, fresh cut bait and shad. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on jigs and minnows; catfish good on cut baits and shad; black bass fair; white bass and hybrid striped bass good when water is running.  (Report made on 5/24/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 70 degrees, rising, muddy; flathead catfish good on nightcrawlers and bluegill on the river and in the tributaries; a few sauger are being caught around the wing dams on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 74 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair using spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on doughbait and chicken liver; bluegill 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 5/23/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers, leeches, stinkbaits and shrimp; crappie good; hybrid striped bass good on Sassy Shad lures, nightcrawlers and leeches; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Mark Twain: 71 degrees, normal, clear; all species slow.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Sever: 77 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair on multi-colored tube jigs and minnows; channel catfish good on liver and nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 70 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass fair on white Sassy Shad lures; hybrid striped bass fair using copper and brass rattle lures; crappie fair off Hwy. T rocks; all other species slow.   (Report made on 5/23/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 72 degrees, falling, dingy; flathead catfish good on live baits and fair on nightcrawlers; blue catfish good on cut baits; channel catfish good on stinkbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 72 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish good on live baits; drum good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 74 degrees, high, muddy; black bass good on topwater lures in morning and evening; channel catfish good on liver; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Lake Paho: 70 degrees, normal, clear; hybrid striped bass good on artificial and natural baits; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics and large spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on commercial type baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 70 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish and bluegill good; all other species fair.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 70 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good using jigs; black bass good using spinnerbaits; channel catfish good using chicken liver; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Smithville Lake: 73 degrees, clear; crappie good using jigs; black bass good on topwater lures in early morning and late evening, also try buzzbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish good on live bait; white bass fair near the dam in the evenings. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 70 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish and blue catfish good; flathead catfish slow; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 69 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish and flathead catfish fair on worms and live baits; carp fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 75 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Norfork Lake: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 68 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass (catch and release only) good on soft plastic baits. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 70 degrees, low, clear; black bass (catch and release only) fair on soft plastics; goggle-eye fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Bryant Creek: 71 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Current River: 70 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Eleven Point River: 60 degrees, low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 69 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass (catch and release only) good on soft plastic baits. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 72 degrees, low, dingy; goggle-eye and sunfish fair on live bait and small plastics. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Jacks Fork: 70 degrees, low, clear; all species good on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 65 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 81 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill fair on live worms and crickets; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; largemouth bass fair on topwater baits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 75 degrees, normal, clear; redear sunfish good on worms and crickets; crappie fair on jigs; channel catfish fair on liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Cypress Lake: 78 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on stinkbaits, worms and crickets in 2 - 6' depths; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; redear have been in shallow waters over the last week; largemouth bass fair on minnows and jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' depths. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 77 degrees, falling, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish fair on crickets; largemouth bass fair on plastic worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets; largemouth bass and channel catfish good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Perry County Lake: 74 degrees, clear; redear sunfish good on crickets; black bass fair on plastic worms; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/21/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 79 degrees, normal, bluegill fair on crickets and wax worms; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 77 degrees, low, channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; bluegill fair on crickets and worms near the shore; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms early and late; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 74 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass (season opens May 26) and goggle-eye fair on plastic baits; channel catfish fair on chicken liver or stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, dingy; level is at summer pool; black bass good on minnows and jigs (season opens 5/26, 12" minimum length); channel catfish fair on live bait and worms; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species fair.  (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): 71 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 74 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on chicken liver, stinkbait and worms; flathead catfish fair on goldfish and green sunfish; black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 52-57 degrees, normal, dingy; Dam Area - white bass fair on swimming minnows; black bass fair on crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie fair on white swimming minnows; walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on flies (scuds, midges, and San Juan worms), Rooster Tails and crankbaits; trout good in lower portion of lake on orange, chartreuse, pink, and white colored Gulp Power Nuggets and nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 75 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on minnows and tube jigs over structure; muskie fair over mudflats; black bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits in the back of coves; walleye good up river on weighted jigs, fair on bottom bouncers and jig and minnow or jig and worm combinations off of points; white bass fair on Twister Tails in the rivers; catfish fair on cut baits with trotlines and jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Stockton Lake: 73 degrees, high, clear; catfish good on liver or earthworms from the bank in coves and off points; crappie slow, best on minnows and various colored artificial lures in 20 - 25' of water; black bass slow, best on various colored jerkbaits, mainly chartreuse, blue, and white off points in 12 - 18' of water; walleye slow, best on artificial worms in 25' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, live nightcrawlers and live large creek chubs, black or shad colored crankbaits, pearl or shad colored swimbaits, grubs or tube baits also working well; catfish good on crayfish tails, nightcrawlers, cut shad, small live sunfish and chicken liver; bluegill good on live earthworms, crickets and small soft plastic tube jigs, natural cricket color or black, red and white colors on 1/8 oz. jig head work best; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 75 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good in early morning on topwater lures, then use crankbaits that look like shad, soft plastics or jigs later in the day; crappie good on live minnows and jigs in standing timber in 15' of water; flathead catfish good on small live bluegill; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers or chicken liver; bluegill good on earthworms or small live baits like crickets or grasshoppers. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 71 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on white flukes weighted hook in the wind and small crankbaits in bluegill colors (catch and release only); catfish good on bait fish and worms using pole and line and trotlines; crappie fair on jigs and minnows in 5 - 15' of water around brush; white bass fair on Road Runners and Power Bait plastic minnows on 1/8 oz. jig head. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Niangua River: 62 degrees, high, clear; trout fair, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; goggle-eye fair, best on natural baits and jigs; black bass slow, best on soft plastics and natural baits (catch and release only); all other species slow. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

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ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on livers; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow, please remove litter.
 (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, worms, doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 5/24/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 65 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on either 3" bluegill or goldfish, liver and blood bait; black bass fair on minnows (catch and release only); crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 72 degrees, low, dingy; black bass fair on plastic worms and crankbaits (catch and release only); channel catfish fair on blood bait and cut bait; crappie slow on minnows; bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species slow on worms.
 (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 65 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish slow on liver; black bass fair on spinners and soft plastics (catch and release only); bluegill good on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 65 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and worms; black bass slow on topwater lures (catch and release only) and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows; bluegill slow on worms; all other species slow on corn and doughbait. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 65 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and live sunfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/24/2012)

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TROUT PARKS

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is slightly above normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: white colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; gray or white colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; ginger snap colored and  white colored marabou jigs; white colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored and Jimi Hendrix colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: red or white colored plastic worms; white colored and yellow colored Power Baits; Gulp pink maggots. Fishing hours for May are 6:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, low, clear; low, clear; fishing is good; the water is very clear; use very light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in shady areas and deep holes, below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in light colors are producing good numbers of fish; dough and putty baits are producing when fished on or near the bottom; use white, green or brown; Fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.  (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly below normal and slowly dropping; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well.  Best fishing is in the mornings and evenings. May fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 5/23/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, clear; the river is getting low; use 2 pound test or lighter; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets.  (Report made on 5/24/2012)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Weekly Fishing Report, 5/17/2012

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, 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.
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)








 MISSOURI PUBLIC FISHING AREAS


CENTRAL REGION(573) 882-8388 LAKES

Binder Lake: 71 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics; bluegill fair on crickets; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 73 degrees, normal, dingy; sunfish and channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers;  largemouth bass fair on soft plastics;  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 5/16/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 74 degrees, dingy; black bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; crappie fair using minnows and crappie jigs; catfish slow, try chicken livers, stinkbaits, worms and cut baits.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 71 degrees, dingy; black bass and catfish fair; crappie and white bass slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 71 degrees, dingy; crappie slow using minnows and jigs; black bass good using soft plastics and spinnerbaits; catfish good using liver and worms;
white bass fair using light colored soft plastic lures; sunfish fair  using worms.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 71 degrees, dingy; crappie slow using minnows and jigs; black bass fair using spinnerbaits and crankbaits; catfish fair using cut baits and beef livers; white bass fair using light colored soft plastic lures;
sunfish fair using worms.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 72 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair on live minnows and  white jigs;  channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers;  bluegill fair on earthworms; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: normal, dingy; channel catfish good on setlines baited with bullhead and green sunfish above Roberts Bluff Access; flathead catfish fair near the Missouri River; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Missouri River (middle): falling, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish fair on live baits and stinkbaits; flathead catfish fair on jug lines and trotlines using live baits and cut baits;  all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 68 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass season closed; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs;
catfish slow, try chicken livers, shad, cut shad and worms.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 68 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass season closed; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics and crappie jigs; crappie slow, try minnows and crappie jigs; catfish slow, try chicken livers, shad, cut shad and worms.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 76 degrees, low, dingy; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 74 degrees, clear; full pool; bluegill, redear sunfish and largemouth bass good; channel catfish and crappie fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Montrose Lake: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good; catfish fair; crappie slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 77 degrees, high, dingy; catfish good; crappie fair; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Truman Lake: 74 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good post-spawn pattern moving toward summer pattern; black bass fair on spinners and buzzbaits in creek backs and pockets; white bass good; hybrid bass good; catfish good on trotlines, jug lines and fresh cut bait. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 74 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good below the dam on jigs and minnows; catfish good on cut baits; white bass and hybrid bass good on topwater jigs and spoons.  (Report made on 5/16/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 76 degrees, the water level is elevated; catfish good on cut baits and nightcrawlers; set bank and jug lines out of the current behind wing dikes; trotlines set from the dikes are working well; shovelnose sturgeon good using nightcrawlers on trotlines set along bottom; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 73 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair using Beetle Spins; largemouth bass fair using flukes; channel catfish fair using chicken liver; 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 5/17/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 69 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers, leeches, stinkbaits, shrimp and live baits; flathead catfish fair on live baits; crappie fair on jigs; hybrid striped bass good on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Mark Twain: 70 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow.  (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Sever: 75 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs 8 - 10' deep; black bass good on spinnerbaits near structure; channel catfish fair on prepared baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 66 degrees, high, dingy; largemouth bass fair on white Sassy Shad lures; hybrid striped bass fair using copper and brass rattle lures; crappie fair off Hwy. T rocks; all other species slow.   (Report made on 5/17/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 67 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers and minnows, fair on stinkbaits; flathead catfish and blue catfish good on live baits; drum and carp fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 72 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on prepared baits; drum good on nightcrawlers; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/17/2012)

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NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3100

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 68 degrees, high, clear; channel catfish good on liver; bluegill good, but small near shore; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Lake Paho: 68 degrees, normal, clear; hybrid striped bass good on artificial bait, nightcrawlers and chicken liver; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics; crappie fair off the rocks; channel catfish fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 68 degrees, high, clear; the north part of lake is murky; black bass and bluegill good; crappie and channel catfish fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 68 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs; largemouth bass good on spinners; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/14/2012)

Smithville Lake: 71 degrees, clear; crappie good using black and chartreuse jigs; black bass good on topwater lures, buzzbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish good on live bait in 10' of water; white bass fair near the dam in the evenings; walleye good on Road Runners tipped with nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 68 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good; flathead catfish slow; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 69 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish and flathead catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

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OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 75 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Norfork Lake: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 68 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass (catch and release only) good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 70 degrees, low, clear; black bass (catch and release only) fair on soft plastics; goggle-eye fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Bryant Creek: 71 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Current River: 69 degrees, low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Eleven Point River: 61 degrees, normal, clear; rainbow trout good on corn and prepared baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 68 degrees, low, clear; goggle-eye and black bass (catch and release only) good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 66 degrees, high, muddy; goggle-eye and sunfish fair on live bait and small plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Jacks Fork: 69 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on artificial baits and live baits.
 (Report made on 5/16/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 65 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

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SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 79 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on live worms and crickets; channel catfish fair on trotlines and jug lines; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: normal, clear; channel catfish good on worms and liver; largemouth bass fair on dark colored soft plastics and topwater lures during low light periods; redear sunfish fair on worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Cypress Lake: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; largemouth bass good on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' depths, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms and crickets in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 74 degrees, falling, clear; bluegill fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets and worms; largemouth bass and channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Perry County Lake: 76 degrees, clear; redear sunfish good on crickets; black bass fair on plastic worms; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 77 degrees, normal, bluegill fair on crickets, worms and wax worms; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 82 degrees, low, bluegill good on crickets and worms; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms early and late; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 73 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye slow on plastic baits; channel catfish slow on live baits or stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 73 degrees, dingy; level is at summer pool; black bass good on minnows and jigs (season closed until 5/26); channel catfish good on live bait; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; goggle-eye good on jigs; smallmouth bass good on plastic lures (season closed until 5/26); all other species fair. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): falling, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms and cut baits; sturgeon being caught on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/16/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): dingy; channel catfish good on live bait and chicken liver; black bass (season closed until May 26th) good on minnows and jigs; redear sunfish fair on crickets and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): No report available.

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SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 52-57 degrees, normal, dingy; Dam Area - white bass good on swimming minnows; black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in upper portion of lake on orange and chartreuse glo balls drifted with the current, flies (scuds and San Juan worms), black/olive colored marabou jigs, Rooster Tails and crankbaits; trout good in lower portion of lake on orange, chartreuse, pink, and bubblegum colored Power Baits, nightcrawlers and corn. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 68 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on minnows and tube jigs over structure; muskie fair over mudflats; black bass fair on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits in the back of coves; walleye fair on bottom bouncers and jig and minnow or jig and worm combinations off of points; white bass fair on Twister Tails in the rivers; catfish fair on cut baits with trotlines and jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Stockton Lake: 72 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on minnows and various colored artificial lures in 8 - 15' of water; black bass good on jerkbaits of various colors, most commonly chartreuse, blue, and white on flats and off points in 8 - 15' of water; catfish good on liver and earthworms from the bank in coves and off points; walleye fair on artificial worms in 15' of water; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 69 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, live nightcrawlers and live large creek chubs, black or shad colored crankbaits, pearl or shad colored swimbaits, grubs or tube baits also working well; catfish good on crayfish tails, nightcrawlers, cut shad, small live perch and chicken liver; bluegill good on live earthworms, crickets and small soft plastic tube jigs, natural cricket color or black, red and white colors on 1/8 oz. jig head work best; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good on crankbaits, jigs and soft plastic worms in 4 - 15' of water, they are moving to deeper water; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water; crappie good on minnows or small tube baits around standing timber or in cover 12 - 15' deep; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers; flathead catfish fair on small bluegill, plastic worms and crankbaits. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 65 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on white flukes weighted hook in the wind and small crankbaits in bluegill colors (catch and release only); catfish good on bait fish and worms using pole and line and trotlines; crappie fair on jigs and minnows in 5 - 15' of water around brush; white bass fair on Road Runners and Power Bait plastic minnows on 1/8 oz. jig head. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Niangua River: 62 degrees, high, clear; trout fair, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; black bass slow, best on soft plastics and natural baits (catch and release only); goggle-eye slow, best on natural baits and jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

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

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 69 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish slow on livers; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie slow on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; please remove litter.
 (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 69 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish slow on doughbait, blood bait and livers; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 5/17/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 65 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait, worms and livers; black bass fair on minnows (catch and release only); crappie slow on minnows; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 66 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on plastic worms (catch and release only); channel catfish fair on blood bait and cut bait; all other species fair on natural baits.
 (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 65 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and minnows; black bass good on soft plastics (catch and release only); goggle-eye good on live bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 65 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish fair on cut bait and worms; black bass fair on topwater lures (catch and release only); crappie fair on minnows; bluegill fair on natural bait; all other species fair on corn and doughbait. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 64 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and live sunfish; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

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

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is slightly above normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: white colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; gray or white colored scuds; green grizzly colored and red holographic colored Cracklebacks; ginger snap colored and  white colored marabou jigs; white colored Rooster Tails; easter egg colored and Jimi Hendrix colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: red or white colored plastic worms; white colored and yellow colored Power Baits; Gulp pink maggots. Fishing hours for May are 6:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. We are planning to cut weeds on May 22 and 23.  We will begin around 8 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m. We appreciate your patience. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, low, clear; fishing is good; the water is very clear; use very light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in shady areas and deep holes, below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in dark colors are producing good numbers of fish; dough and putty baits are producing when fished on or near the bottom; use white or brown;  Kid's Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, May 19th, rain or shine; fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly below normal and slowly dropping; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; white, brown and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well. May fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, Kid's Free Fishing Day is May 19. The water is normal; recent rains have not affected the stream too much; dry flies have been good with lots of caddis and midge hatches; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early; marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets.  (Report made on 5/17/2012)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Weekly Fishing Report, 5/10/2012

SUNSETS ON AN INLET OFF THE MAIN OSAGE ARM OF ...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, 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.


Missouri Public Fishing Areas


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CENTRAL REGION (573) 882-8388

    LAKES

Binder Lake: 70 degrees, high, clear; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics; bluegill fair on crickets; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Blind Pony Lake: 72 degrees, high, dingy; sunfish and channel catfish 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 5/10/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 69 degrees, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; black bass fair using dark colored soft plastics and buzzbaits; catfish fair on stinkbaits, cut baits and  worms.

 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 69 degrees, dingy; black bass, crappie and catfish fair; white bass slow.   (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 69 degrees, dingy; crappie slow using minnows and jigs; black bass good using soft plastics and spinnerbaits; catfish good using liver and worms;
white bass fair using light colored soft plastic lures; sunfish fair  using worms.
 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): 69 degrees, dingy; crappie slow using minnows and jigs; black bass fair using spinnerbaits and crankbaits; catfish fair using cut baits and beef livers; white bass fair using light colored soft plastic lures;
sunfish fair using worms.
 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Little Dixie Lake: 70 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on live minnows and  white jigs; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms;  channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers;  bluegill fair on earthworms; the area is closed to all activity including fishing from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Lamine River: falling, muddy; flathead catfish, blue catfish, and channel catfish fair on trotlines; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Missouri River (middle): high, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good on live baits and stinkbaits; flathead catfish good on jug lines and trotlines using live baits and cut baits;  all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Osage (Bagnell Tailwater): 59 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; black bass season closed; catfish fair  on worms, chicken livers and cut shad.
 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 59 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; white bass slow, try light colored soft plastics; black bass season closed; catfish fair  on worms, chicken livers and cut shad.
 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

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KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254

    LAKES

Atkinson Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 76 degrees, low, catfish good; crappie slow; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area: 74 degrees, clear; full pool; channel catfish fair; crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and largemouth bass good; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Montrose Lake: 74 degrees, normal, muddy; catfish fair; all other species slow;  fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Schell Lake (Schell-Osage CA): 77 degrees, high, crappie slow; all other species good; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Truman Lake: 71 degrees, high, muddy; crappie good on minnows and spider riggings in 10 - 18' of water on flats; black bass fair on spinners and buzzbaits in creek backs and pockets; catfish good on cut bait in flats and mouth of creeks. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Truman Lake Tailwaters: 70 degrees, rising, clear; crappie good below the dam on jigs and minnows; catfish good on shad; white bass and hybrid bass good on topwater jigs and spoons.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Missouri River (Kansas City area): 62 degrees, rising, muddy; there is debris in the channel; channel and flathead catfish good in the tributaries on nightcrawlers and bluegill; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

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NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420

    LAKES

Hunnewell Lake: 70 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good using Little Cleos; largemouth bass good using spinnerbaits and Rapalas; channel catfish good using Shad Raps; bluegill and redear sunfish fair using nightcrawlers; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Long Branch Lake: 60 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers, cut shad and leeches; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Mark Twain: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; channel catfish good on live baits and cut baits; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Sever: 76 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs and minnows; black bass good on jerkbaits; bluegill fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Thomas Hill Reservoir: 65 degrees, high, muddy; all species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Mississippi River (upper): 66 degrees, rising, muddy; all species slow.  (Report made on 5/8/2012)

Salt (below Mark Twain): 68 degrees, normal, dingy; smallmouth bass fair on chartreuse spinnerbaits and plastic worms; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and liver; drum good on nightcrawlers near riffles; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/8/2012)

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

    LAKES

Bilby Ranch Lake: 66 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good using on liver; black bass fair on crankbaits or soft plastics; bluegill and crappie good on live bait.   (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Lake Paho: 72 degrees, normal, clear; hybrid striped bass good; largemouth bass fair on soft plastics; crappie fair off the rocks; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Mozingo Lake: 64 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish, black bass, crappie and bluegill good; walleye fair on natural baits. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Pony Express Lake: 67 degrees, high, clear; crappie good on jigs close to the shore; black bass good on spinners; bluegill good on worms. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Smithville Lake: 68 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on the banks or near structures at about 8' deep on black and chartreuse jigs; black bass good on banks around rocks on soft plastics; channel catfish good on live bait at about 10' depths; walleye fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Grand River: 67 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish good, all other species fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Missouri River (upper): 68 degrees, rising, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms and dip bait; flathead catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

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

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (East): 71 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on artificial baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Norfork Lake: 72 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on artificial baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Big Piney River (lower, Pulaski Co.): 63 degrees, normal, clear; goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Big Piney River (upper, Texas Co.): 69 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on soft plastics. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Bryant Creek: 68 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Current River: 70 degrees, low, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Eleven Point River: 60 degrees, normal, clear; rainbow trout good on corn, artificial baits and live baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Gasconade River (middle): 64 degrees, normal, dingy; goggle-eye good on soft plastic baits and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Gasconade River (upper): 66 degrees, high, muddy; goggle-eye and sunfish fair on live bait and small plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Jacks Fork: 67 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on artificial baits and live baits.
 (Report made on 5/10/2012)

North Fork of the White River: 63 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on soft plastics; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

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

    LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 76 degrees, falling, clear; black bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 71 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on worms and liver; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics and topwater lures during low light periods; redear sunfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Cypress Lake: 73 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; largemouth bass good on minnows and jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms, crickets and stinkbaits in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 76 degrees, high, clear; bluegill and warmouth sunfish good on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; largemouth bass good on worms; redear sunfish good on crickets; bluegill fair on worms;  channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Perry County Lake: 75 degrees, clear; black bass good on spinnerbaits; redear sunfish good on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 72 degrees, normal, bluegill good on crickets and wax worms; crappie good on jigs; all other species slow.  (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 71 degrees, low, bluegill good on crickets and worms; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; all other species slow.
Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake.  Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

    RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on tube baits and live minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait; black bass good on jigs and minnows (season closed, catch and release only until May 26th); crappie fair on jigs and minnows; redear sunfish fair on crickets; all other species slow.
 (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): muddy; channel catfish good on worms; crappie fair on minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): rising, muddy; channel catfish fair on liver and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): dingy; channel catfish good on live bait; black bass (season closed until May 26th) good on minnows and jigs; crappie good on minnows and jigs; redear sunfish good on crickets and worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 69 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on worms and liver; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

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

    LAKES

Bull Shoals Lake (West): 52-55 degrees, normal, dingy; Dam Area - black bass good on spinnerbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; white bass fair on white swimming minnows; walleye fair on jerkbaits and nightcrawlers; all other species slow; Beaver Creek Arm - black bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs; crappie good on white swimming minnows and crappie jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Lake Taneycomo: 50 degrees, normal, clear; trout good in the upper portion of the lake on flies (scuds, San Juan worms, and midges), orange and green glo balls drifted with the current and olive/black marabou jigs floated under bobbers; trout good in the lower portion of the lake on Gulp soft plastic eggs in orange, white, and chartreuse colors, corn and nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Pomme de Terre Reservoir: 65 degrees, high, dingy; crappie good on minnows and tube jigs over structure; muskie fair over mudflats; black bass fair on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits in the back of coves; walleye fair on bottom bouncers and jig & minnow or jig & worm combinations off of points; white bass fair on Twister Tails in the rivers; catfish fair on cut baits with trotlines and jug lines; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Stockton Lake: 62 degrees, high, dingy; catfish good on liver or earthworms from the bank off coves and points; crappie good on minnows and various colored artificial lures in 2 - 15' of water; black bass slow, best on flats and off points in 6 - 15' of water; use jerkbaits of various colors, most common is chartreuse, blue, and white; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Table Rock Lake (James River arm): 65 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on soft plastic crayfish, Wiggle Warts and grubs, black, pearl or shad colored baits working well, some fish are still on beds in coves and some largemouth are very close to the bank; white bass fair on white or bright yellow Vibric spinners, small diving crankbaits and pearl swimming minnows, trolling is working well; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

Table Rock Lake (main lake): 64 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good on crankbaits and jigs from the bank out to 12' of water, try topwater baits near the bank; bluegill good on earthworms in shallow water or around cover; crappie good on minnows around cover in 12' of water; flathead catfish good on small live bait; channel catfish good on cut baits or nightcrawlers. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

James River: 66 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass good on shaky jigs, smaller worms, french fry with split shot, flukes weighted hook in the wind and small crankbaits with bluegill colors (catch and release only); white bass fair on white Road Runners and Power Baits with plastic minnows and 1/8 oz. jig; crappie fair on jigs and minnows over brush piles; catfish fair on bait fish and frogs. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Niangua River: 60 degrees, high, dingy; black bass slow, best on soft plastics and natural baits (catch and release only); goggle-eye slow, best on natural baits and jigs; trout slow, best on natural baits and Power Baits below Bennett Spring; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/9/2012)

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

    LAKES

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 64 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on livers; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; please remove litter.
 (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 23: 63 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on doughbait, cut bait and blood bait; limit 4; black bass fair on spinners, plastic worms and crankbaits; please remove litter.


 (Report made on 5/10/2012)

    RIVERS

Big River: 65 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish good on cut bait, worms and livers; black bass fair on minnows (catch and release only); crappie slow on minnows; bluegill fair on worms and crickets; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Bourbeuse River: 66 degrees, high, muddy; black bass slow on plastic worms (catch and release only); channel catfish fair on blood bait and cut bait; all other species slow on natural baits.
 (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Meramec River (Crawford Co.): 65 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and minnows; black bass good on plastic worms (catch and release only); crappie slow on minnows; bluegill fair on natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Meramec River (St. Louis Co.): 63 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on cut bait and blood bait; black bass fair on topwater lures (catch and release only); crappie fair on minnows; bluegill fair on worms; all other species fair on corn and doughbait. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Missouri River (lower): 62 degrees, high, muddy; channel catfish good on cut bait and livers; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

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

Bennett Spring State Park: 57 degrees, the spring level is slightly above normal and clear; Zone 1 and 2 best lures: white colored roaches; bedspread colored, and white sparkly blue-green colored mini-jigs; gray or white colored scuds; black or sulfur colored Cracklebacks; ginger snap, red and white colored marabou jigs; bumblebee colored and black sparkled colored Rooster Tails; orange colored and peach colored glo balls; olive or brown colored wooly buggers with gold spinner; Zone 3 best lures: red or white colored plastic worms; white with sparkle, salmon peach, and yellow colored Power Baits; brown colored Trout Nip. Fishing hours for May are 6:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Maramec Spring Park: 57 degrees, normal, fishing is good; the water is clear; use very light weight line and tackle; fish are holding in deep holes, below the waterfalls and around boulders, target these areas for best success; throughout the spring branch feather jigs in dark colors are producing good numbers of fish; dough and putty baits are producing when fished on or near the bottom; use white or brown;  Kid's Free Fishing Day is Saturday May 19th rain or shine; fishing hours for the month of May are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Montauk State Park: 58 degrees, the river level is slightly below normal; the water is clear; fishing is good on most baits; brown, white, and yellow scented dough and putty baits are working well in the bait zones; flies, Rooster Tails and jigs in black and yellow, white, and olive colors are working well. May fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
For up-to-date stream conditions check  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 (Report made on 5/10/2012)

Roaring River State Park: 58 degrees, the water is normal; recent rains have not affected the stream too much; dry flies have been good with lots of caddis and midge hatches; beetles, ants and hoppers, Cracklebacks, pheasant tails and copper johns are good; olive, black, and brown wooly buggers or worms are good; orange, white, chartreuse, fluorescent yellow plastic eggs are working well; cheese yellow, white, mint green, yellow/orange, pink, and the orange, and orange/white plastic worms are good; spinners are good early, black, brown, olive and black/yellow are good early;  marabou jigs in white, tan and pinks early and later in the day; use black, black/yellow, brown, brown/yellow, and black/olive marabou jigs in 1/16th - 1/100 in size; in Zone 3 use nightcrawlers, corn, Power Bait paste and nuggets. Kid's Free Fishing Day is May 19. (Report made on 5/10/2012)

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