MISSOURI FISHING REPORTS
Posted: 04/08/2004
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Updated 04/08/04
Report by: The Bait Stop
CLOSED DUE TO RENOVATIONS
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 802.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 40 cfs Outflow: 54 cfs. Level: 0.83 feet high
Report by Forty Woods Bait & Tackle Missouri Wildlife Check In Station Braggin' Board
Catfish biting good around jacomo where the creeks are running in
Hybrids
No ReportTrout pond No Report
Crappie good
Striper No Report
Largemouth Bass No Report
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 656.0 Temperature:
Outflow: 10170 cfs Level: 2.44 feet low
Report by BULL SHOALS LAKE BOAT DOCK Braggin Board
GENERAL CONDITIONS
SPRING- First, thanks to all of you that have had
patience waiting on a new fishing report. I am finally back in Bull Shoals after spending
most of January, February and March on the road doing sport shows. Spring is here on Bull
Shoals Lake. It looks like it will be an early spring unless the weather changes soon. The
long range forecast is for warm temperatures so fishing should start soon. It actually has
up the lake. The small bluegills and perch are up near the surface here at the marina.
This usually doesn't happen until April some time. They have been up a week or so, which
is early. The Dogwood and Redbud trees are also starting to bloom, which is early, and
that is another indication of an early spring. So fishing should start early.
WATER TEMPERATURE- One of the guides got a new water temp gauge from Cabalas. He took
readings off of our gas dock on Saturday.
Surface- 60.2 degrees
5 foot- 59.3 "
10 foot- 56.8 "
15 foot- 55.4 "
20 foot- 52.1 "
25 foot- 51.0 "
30 foot- 50.3 "
35 foot- 50.0 "
As you can see, the water temp is warming up quickly.
WEATHER- The weather has been warm for March. We have had a couple of
good rains but they were cold. We are supposed to get some more the later part of this
week and it looks like it will be a warm rain.
VISIBILITY- It is very clear here at the Marina. The backs of the creeks
have some color in them, as does most of the upper lake from point 18 to the other end of
the lake. With the water temp warming up the lake should clear up unless we get a lot of
rain.
FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-FISHING-
We never did have the shad kill this winter. The water temperature never got below 45
degrees too much. It usually has to get in the lower 40's before the shad start to die.
LARGEMOUTH BASS- As usual, most of the largemouth are shallow in 10 foot
of water or less. I have seen a couple of 5-6 lb. fish listed on the tournament sheets
over the last couple of months. So, Bull Shoals has started to make it back from the LMBV
virus that took its toll on this lake.
SPOTTED KENTUCKY BASS- These are in their usual deeper pattern then the
largemouth bass, mostly on the channel swings and brush piles back in the creeks.
SMALLMOUTH BASS- I have seen three 4 lb. fish caught and released here at
the marina this week. These are on the gravel flats and pre- spawn banks.
BASS PATTERNS-
1. Crank baits in 5 to 15 feet of water are producing all species of bass. We have a
tremendous small bluegill population since the high water of 2002 and the fish have been
feasting on bluegills since then. Light colored shad is another favorite color or crawfish
color will work. Try to match the water color. The more colored the water the brighter or
more colored the crank bait should be. In clear water your bait needs to look as natural
as possible.
2. Spinner baits is shallow water way back in the creeks. This has been producing some
largemouth bass. Same as the crank baits on color. The more colored the water the more
colored the spinner bait.
3. jig-n-frog on the chunk rock banks or gravel flats for smallmouth.
4. all types of plastics off of the channel swings, gravel flats and brush piles. Tube
jigs, hula grubs, plastic crawfish, gitzits and any other normal plastic bait.
5. deep running rouges and rebels are producing some good fish.
6. live bait is producing some fish- mostly live minnows.
WALLEYE- NOT MUCH BEING REPORTED YET EXCEPT WAY UP THE LAKE
WHITE BASS- NOT MUCH ACTIVITY YET, SHOULD START SOON
CRAPPIE- NOT MUCH BEING CAUGHT YET OR BEING REPORTED
CATFISH- The trot liners did well over the winter. Not much going on yet.
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 500.0 Temperature: 58 and Dingy
Release Rate: 822 Level: 5.13 feet low
Largemouth Bass good using soft baits
White Bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Smallmouth Bass No Report
Spotted Bass No Report
Catfish fair at night using worms
Bluegill No Report
Updated 04/01/04
Lake Level:
Report by: The Bait Stop
Channel Catfish No Report
Crappie using minnows
Largemouth Bass No Report
Updated 04/08/04
Temperature: 58 Level: normal
Sunfish No Report
Largemouth Bass fair using crankbaits
Crappie good
Catfish slow
(Below Urich)
Flatheads No Report
Channel Cats No Report
Blue Cats No Report
Crappie No Report
Updated 04/08/04
Temperature: Clarity: Level: 0.00 feet low
The park registration office is now open seven days a week 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Lake Jacomo Park Headquarters.
Report by Forty Woods Bait & Tackle Missouri Wildlife Check In Station Braggin' Board
Catfish No Report
Bluegill slow
Crappie fair
Bass slow
Updated 04/08/04
Temp: 56 clear and high
Channel Catfish good at Coot and Honker Pond
Largemouth Bass good at Coot and Honker Pond
Bluegill fair at Coot and Honker Pond
Crappie fair at Coot and Honker Pond
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 660.0 Temperature: 49 in the morning and 60 in the afternoon
Inflow: 30900 cfs Outflow: 32200 cfs. Level: 4.34 feet low
Report by Missouri Angler Missouri Angler Buddy Bass Derby
AmerenUE reports the current lake level at 655.64 with very heavy generation scheduled for the next three days and according to AmerenUE this will give the lake a level of 655.8 by Friday, April 9th. The water temperature taken at Bagnell Dam is 53 degrees. Bass boat temperature gauges show 49 degrees in the back of some creeks and coves, and a high of 60 degrees half way back in the creeks. The Grand Glaize, Niangua's and Gravois Rivers are dingy but are clearing and have visibility 2 to 3 feet. The main Osage River and coves off the river are muddy with visibility of 0 to 2 inches. As long as they are dumping water out of Truman, this lake will probably be muddy for several weeks. The good news is the muddy water has caused the bass to be aggressive and move shallow. Bass fishing hasn't been this good on Lake O since 1999.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - EXCELLENT The bass can be found mainly on the inside of secondary points and the points of creek arm pockets and coves having a mixture of chunk rock and pea gravel. The bass are beginning to move to their pre-spawn stage and a few bass are being caught on pea gravel flats off channel swings in the creeks and coves. The bass have moved off the banks because of the recent cold front and high pressure this weekend and seemed to be in 8 to 10 feet of water around docks and structure, but a few are still being caught within a foot off the bank. The spinnerbait (white, white/chartreuse and chartreuse) has slowed down a little, but is still producing some large keepers, 4 to 6 pounds around docks in the back of the coves and creeks. The crankbait (Wiggle Wart and Bandit (chartreuse, firetiger, red/black and bone) is producing some nice keepers on the same type of structure. The jig n trailer, Chomper and tube baits (black, black/blue, brown/green pumpkin) are beginning to produce on regular basis on the inside of main lake points, secondary points and around docks. The best bite has been below the lodge and in the dam area.
SPOTTED BASS (KENTUCKY) - SLOW As usual, the spots are still slow. A few are being caught on crankbaits and jigs off the points, but they are small, 12 to 13 inches.
CRAPPIE -FAIR The recent cold front has slowed the crappie down quite a bit. Before the cold front, the crappie were anywhere from 8 to 10 feet and sometimes shallower suspended over or near brush in the creeks, coves and pockets off the main lake. Minnows are still the best bite tipped with Crappie Nibbles. Road Runners (white/chartreuse, white/blue, white/red and chartreuse) are also producing, but not as good as minnows.
WHITES/HYBRIDS FAIR There are quite a few small whites busting shad in the creeks and coves and can be caught on Road Runners and Rooster Tails (white, chartreuse and yellow).
CATFISH - GOOD The blues, flatheads and channels are being caught on jugs in the creeks and coves baited with cut shad and shrimp. There has not been any reports of tightline catches so far.
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 791.0 Temperature: 58
Inflow: 10 cfs Outflow: 77 cfs Level: 0.57 feet high
Channel Catfish slow
Flathead slow
Walleye slow
Crappie slow
Largemouth Bass slow
Bluegill slow
White Bass slow
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 891.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 10 cfs Outflow: 65 cfs Level: 0.30 feet low
Mouse Creek at Longview Lake has a new gate and the area will be closed at 9:00 p.m. and will not reopen until 8:00 a.m. All fisherman need to have their vehicles out of the area by 9:00 p.m. or their vehicles could be locked in for the night and/or ticketed.
Catfish No Report
Bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Updated 04/10/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 606.0 Temperature: 55-59 Water Condition: Dingy - Muddy
Release Rate: 360 Level: 3.17 feet high
Report by: South Fork Resort
Date: 4/10/04
Lake Level : 605.72
Last Weeks Lake Level: 608.55
Normal Lake Level : 606
Water Condition: Dingy - Muddy
Surface Water Temp: 55-59 degrees
Crappie update - 4/9/04 The lake has been holding steady at 605.7 since yesterday and the crappie have responded. Close to five limits of crappie have been caught out of Sandy Creek today, using black/chartreuse jigs about 6-8 feet down near the river channels. Concentrate on cedar trees and don't forget the crappie niblets if the bite slows down.
take - Stable water is starting to make fishing better. Partner and I caught about 50 on 4/9 fishing Sandy Creek, Shell Branch and Lick Creek. Lots of boaters out as fishing is improving. We caught most keepers (9 -11 inchers) down 9 feet suspended around brush on minnows. Very weak bite that you really had to pay attention. When the wind blew the fish bit, when it laid down the fish became less aggressive. Also had some luck with a purple and chartreuse jig again fished about 9 feet down. Most water was 55 degrees. Lots of people were catching fish, unfortunately most were on the small side. Saw one just under two pounds so the bigger fish are there. Going again today, hope you say hello when you see me and watch out for the magic dust.. Good luck and keep moving if you not catching keepers. BruceNo reports from Bass fishermen yet.
Catfishing continues to improve. A few very nice cats, both Flatheads and Blues have been caught on trotlines using cut shad. Elk Fork and South Fork provided good action. This is the time of year when catfish like to come up to the warmer waters and forage for food. Look for water 8 feet or less near dropoffs and fish it.
Red Morels are being found in good numbers and size. Small Grey's are also being found.
Updated 04/08/04
Temperature:
No Report
ST. JOSEPH AREA
Updated 04/02/04
Report By Don Guess
Channel Cat good shad sides and large shinners.Updated 04/08/04
Temperature: 47 Level: 2.5 feet low Clarity: clear
Channel Catfish fair
Flathead slow
Largemouth Bass slow
Stripers slow
Crappie slow on brush piles
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: Temperature: 55
Level:
Report By: Big Birds Bait Braggin' Board
Check out river bottom lures we stock 8 colors in 4 and 6
inch
Check out the new lx bow by Matthew's
Bass good spinner baits and jigs
Crappie good still holding off points in deeper water jigs and minnows
Bluegill good on worms
Catfish good on worms and minnows and goldfish
All are invited to nodaho bowhunters 1st and 3rd shoot of the year on
the 11th
Remember to pray for our troops and POWs REMEMBER JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR
US TO SAVE OUR SOULS AND GIVE US EVER LASTING LIFE GOD BLESS
BIG BIRD
God bless the USA
thanks big bird
ride hard ride free
pray for the troops and pray for the POW's and the MIA's
Updated 04/10/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 839.0 Temperature: 53 and Dingy
Inflow: 350 cfs Outflow: 1583 cfs Level: 2.87 feet high
Report by: J&N Sporting Goods
Black Bass Fair Worms , or Spinner Baits use at back of coves
White Bass up the rivers on chartreuse spinners or jigs.
Muskie fair 4-10 feet of water use black spinners on Martins flat.
Crappie fair 5-10 feet of water around brush use minnows or chartreuse jigs.
Lower Lake fair
Black bass crankbaits in 10 to 20 feet range on points Action has been slow.
Updated 04/08/04
Temperature: 53 Clarity: Level: low
Largemouth Bass fair using Rattle traps in 6 feet of water
Channel Cat fair using cut bait in deep water
Bluecat No Report
Bluegill No Report
Crappie good using minnows and jigs
Updated 04/08/04
Water Temp: 56 and Dingy Level: high
Crappie fair
Blue Catfish fair
Channel Catfish fair
Largemouth Bass fair
Bluegill fair
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 864.2 Temperature: 50 to 58
Inflow: 10 cfs Outflow: 8 cfs Level: 0.39 feet low
Report by Burton's Bait and Tackle
CRAPPIE: FAIR Crappie are getting a little shallower. 10' to15' of water depending on the area of the lake you are fishing in. Shallower as you go up the lake where the water is shallower and warmer, deeper in the main lake area. They seem to be scattering some while they are following the creek channels toward the backs of the coves and the shallower water. You have to move around some to catch a limit. Jigs and minnows as usual are the best. The water has more color and is warmer up the river. Darker colored jigs are the best. The crappie have not moved up yet.
BASS: FAIR: Bass fishing is getting better if we can keep the water warm. Suspending rogues in the cleaner water around the main lake and jigs or spinnerbaits if you are fishing up the arms of the lake. Some nice fish are being caught. Look in Burton's Tournaments and see weekend results.
CATFISH: Good Worms, shad sides, or shad guts are all catching fish. The Platte and Little Platte rivers are also producing some fish since the rains. When it rains the fish move into the backs of the creeks and fishing can be great. The normal areas would be to fish the mouths of the coves in the little Platte river arm of the lake. Start at the mouth and work your way back till you find the fish.
WHITE BASS: Good The whites have started their annual run up the river towards Plattsburg. Fish the Little Platte arm of the lake from the free boat ramp to the public access on 116 hwy between Plattsburg and Lathrop. Throw rooster tails and road runners and you can catch both whites and some crappie.
WALLEYE: They have arrived!! Some walleye are starting to be caught along the face of the dam. I have talked to a couple of guys who each said they caught a couple of nice fish on 3-16. There will be a new moon on the 20th of March and a full moon on the 5th of April. Look for fishing to be improving between these dates. The fish should start moving to the face of the dam between these dates.
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 867.7 Temperature: Dam 43 and Aldrich 51
Inflow: 1000 cfs Outflow: 742 cfs Level: 2.42 feet high
Report By: Square Deal Bait Shop
On the Big Sac arm of the lake:
fishing is fair to good Crappie in 20 to 25 feet of water use minnows or jig
On the Little Sac fishing is fair to good
fishing is fair
White Bass No Report
Crappie 15 to 20 feet of water with minnow or jig in brush piles
Catfish No Report
Largemouth Bass points with jig and worm or jig and pork
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 915.0 Temperature: 55 - 59
Release Rate: 5034 cfs. Level: 1.26 feet low
Report by: Pete's Professional Guide Service
WATER LEVEL - 914.51 Normal Pool 915'MAIN LAKE - DAM, KIMBERLING CITY, BAXTER & CAMPBELL POINT & SHELL KNOB
Quality fish can be caught on stick baits and wigglewarts, bites can be few and far between but excellent quality fish when you get bit. Early bite is best or if the winds picks up in the afternoon. Fish secondary points with submerged timber (stickbaits), & channel swing banks in the creeks. Try to key on banks that change from football size rock to pea gravel. We are also catching lots of fish on 4" finesse worms, French fries, & centipedes, in watermelon or green pumpkin fished on 1/8 oz. to 1/4 oz. jig heads. Try also split shot rigged or on a drop shot rig in 10'-15' main lake and secondary gravel points. Many smaller fish being caught on these patterns. Carolina rigs with 4" worms or 4"-5" lizards, along with Twin tailed Chompers or Yamamoto grubs. Single tail grubs will catch fish staging out over 20'-30' on main lake points at 10'-15'. Use shad colors, watermelon, on 1/4 oz. jig heads. Top water baits should start working as the warms continues to warm up.
LONG CREEK & JAMES RIVER
A lot of pockets and the backs of creeks are loaded up with shad. When the shad are up throw a 1/4 oz. Rattle Trap under and around the bait fish, your are apt to catch white bass or blacks this way. The same patterns noted above will work in these areas as well. There is a lot more stained water in the rivers, and the water is warming up good in the afternoons. Try wiggle warts or spinnerbaits on channel swings as well as in the backs of the creeks, also try Senco's or trick worms in the backs of main lake pockets and backs of creeks. The Uppper White has been producing many crankbait and jig fish. Rock Creek, Owl Creek, & Roaring River areas. Fish the main river points with Carolina Rigs, and also try 3/4 oz. football jigs fished in 15'-18'. Good Luck!
Updated 04/08/04
Temperature: Level:
Report by River Run Outfitters
Branson Chapter Trout Unlimited next meeting April 27, 2004, 7:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Water Conditions: Ran two generators all weekend. Have run two generators
every day this week and last week. High two (tailwater 707.5) Let's hope they shut down
soon.
FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-
With the running water, our trips are still doing best on the red midge, size 16. The tan
flashback scud is working, but not as consistently as the red tunghead midge. With the
water running this past weekend, we took some friends to Norfork. Had a great weekend.
Caught several nice Browns Saturday. The rust zebra was probably the best fly. We caught
them on several other flies, such as dark olive soft hackle, partridge and orange soft
hackle, tan scuds, but the zebra was again, the most consistent. Sunday afternoon
wonderful caddis, mayfly and midge hatches were coming off. Trips out yesterday caught
lots of fish. Several 16 inch and better. One brand new fly fisher caught at least 30 on
the red midge.
STAN'S TIP: When fishing with an indicator, weight and a fly, remember to
open up your cast a little. The more open loop will reduce the chance of the indicator,
weight and fly from wrapping around each other. For the novice fly fisher, if you know how
to do a roll cast, this technique might work best for you.
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 722.00 Clarity: Level:
Temperature: 59 and Dingy
Report by Kaseyville Bait and Tackle
Crappie fair using jigs and minnows
Bass No Report
Channel cat No Report
Updated 04/08/04
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 706.0
Temperature: 52
Inflow: 8000 cfs Outflow: 30300 cfs Level: 3.40 feet high
MAIN LAKE Report by Sterett Creek Marina
Don't forget next Tuesday, April13 the Tuesday night Hawg fights start. We will fish from 5:30 to 8:15 pm. Now you have to remember that even if the fish don't bite you can still come and make fun of Emil Tally.
The lake level is dropping nicely but the water temp. is not going up as fast as I would like to see. With another week of warm weather we might even see some fish go to the banks. The lake has been going down about 6" a day. In our area the water color is stained but its very fishable. We did have some really good bass caught over the weekend. Cy Wilson weighed in a 8lb.10oz. largemouth on Sunday. Also on Sunday Jerry Mc Cutchin had a couple over 7lbs. in a tournament out of Bucksaw.
WATER LEVEL: 709.5
WATER TEMP: 52deg.
WATER CLARITY: Stained to muddy.
BASS: Spinner baits seem to be working the best in our area. Chartreuse with a big gold blade fished in 1' to 3' of water is the way to go. The secret is fishing the flooded grass close to a drop off. The slower you can move the bait the better it is. Secondary points seem to be holding fish. Jig and frog and tubes are working in the same areas. Black and blue is the best color in the stained water. When fishing back in a creek look for the warmest water. A 2 deg. change can make all the difference in the world.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing is still slow. Jerry Coose has been catching a few limits in the evenings. He said he has been fishing 15' of water about 13' deep. The fish had started moving up a little but with the water falling as fast as it is the fish have backed off a little. Now would be a good time to hit the out side tree rows along the creek chancels. Jigs are still working the best. This weekend on Sat. Crossroads is having a crappie tournament here at Sterett Creek. For info you can contact Ozzie Wallace at 660-438-2868.
WHITES: No report.
CATFISH: Jugs are doing a good job on catfish in our area. Cut shad seems to be the best bait. Stages are being set about 10'.
So till next week we bid you good fishing.
Tommy
Grand River Arm
Updated
04/01/04 Lake temp: 54 - 56Report for Grand River Arm by Bucksaw Marina
Sorry for not updating the fishing report as often as I should. We've done nothing but
work on the RV Park for 2 months and haven't spent much time in the office. On those
lines, we have got all the sewer lines and laterals in and are working on getting the
roads finished. When we get that done and then on to water and electric service. Still
looking at May 1st on completion.
Now for the fishing!
CRAPPIE: Some activity about 1/2 way back in the creeks on blue and white
jigs from 10 - 15 feet of water on the creek channels. Our water temp is a little slow
warming up so the spawn may be pushed back a little. The water is muddy up river and
slightly stained down.
BASS: Decent spinnerbait bite in 1-4 feet of water in creeks down from
Bucksaw. Nice 15 lb. limits seen on this pattern. Haven't heard of anyone trying anything
up river yet.
CATFISH: Excellent bite with the current up in Deepwater Creek. Shad set
at 10 feet in the creek have seen some great activity.
I know it's short, but that's about all we know for know.
* New Missouri regulations require that jug lines be attended at all
times.
Updated
04/08/04 Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 359.0 Temperature:Release Rate: 920 Level: 2.40 feet low
Largemouth Bass fair using crankbaits
White Bass No Report
Crappie good using minnows and jigs
Bluegill good using crickets
Catfish fair on trotlines and juglines using live bait and worms
Note: On the waters of Wappapello Lake & its tributaries, all Walleye & Sauger must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass under 11" (daily limit 6) to reduce the numbers of small bass in Wappapello lake.