MISSOURI FISHING REPORTS
Posted: 12/16/2005
Blind Pony | Blue Springs | Bull Shoals (East) | Bull Shoals (West) | Clearwater |
Concordia City Lake | Council Bluff | S. Grand River | Jacomo | James A. Reed |
Lake of the Ozarks | Longbranch | Longview | Maple Leaf Lake | Mark Twain |
Missouri River | Montrose | Mozingo Lake | Norfork | Pony Express |
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Taneycomo | Thomas Hill | Truman | Wappapello | |
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Report by:
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 802.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 5 cfs Outflow: 7 cfs. Level: 0.06 feet high
Report by 40 Woods Bait & Tackle Missouri Wildlife Check In Station Braggin' Board
Catfish No Report
Bluegill No Report
Crappie No Report
Bass No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 656.0 Temperature: 40's
Outflow: 520 cfs Level: 7.51 feet low
Fishing Report by: Wilderness Trail
We certainly hope that everyone enjoyed the three weeks of fall that Mother Nature gave us before she threw winter at us! Wow – 2" of snow and temperatures in the teens, we sure weren’t ready for that. Things started to turn around by the weekend though as the temperatures moved back into the 40’s and fishermen were able to return back onto the lake without freezing. Lake level dropped this past week, we are now at 645.67, 8 ¾ feet below normal pool. We need rain between now and spring to raise the lake level for the spawn. Lake temperature came down some with the "big chill" and snow. We are now looking at the upper 40’s warming to around 50 degrees by the afternoon. This will vary a degree or two depending on what part of the lake you are on.
Crappie have moved tight into the brush piles after the week of freezing weather. Live bait is the key at this time as the crappie are not real active. Use a chartreuse, pink or yellow jig head tipped with a minnow in the brush piles and a slow presentation is the way to trigger a strike.
Largemouth bass were active on the banks before the chill and they are still on the banks now. Main lake points, secondary points in pockets and coves and banks halfway back in the creek arms are holding feeding largemouth. Get on the trolling motor and cover water with spinner baits and crankbaits. Shad and chartreuse/white skirts with gold and silver blades are the colors for the spinner baits. Crankbaits on the other hand are best in crawdad colors such as V37 or V38 Wiggle Warts or translucent red craw or brown craw in the Bandit 200 and 300 series.
Smallmouth bass are not as shallow as the largemouth but they are using the same structure (points), feeding on shad and whatever crawdads they can find that are late going into hibernation. Crankbaits and jerk baits will work on suspending smallies and tubes or Spider Jigs are working the best on feeding smallies foraging on the bottom for crawdads. Don’t overlook fishing a football jig in 40 to 45 feet of water this time of year, you could hook up with a trophy Smallmouth.
Kentucky bass are deep and they are going to stay deep throughout the winter. Find the shad and you will find the Kentuckys. Channel swing ends, deep pockets, and flooded timber are areas to check. Best baits are spoons.
Walleye are not up on the banks, they are off the points and flats on the bottom in 45 to 48 feet of water. Trolling with lead core with Hot’N Tots or Glass Shad is triggering a few but the best technique at this time is a live shiner on a jig head or vertically spooning with slab spoons. With the cooler water conditions walleye only have to feed once every 72 hours so if you marking walleye but they won’t bite, move on to try to find some that are active.
Fishing for trout on the White River has been good on Berkley Power Eggs in yellow and white. With generation the Buoyant Spoons, Colorado Spoons in gold, and Little Cleo’s in gold are the bait of choice. The fly fishermen did well on olive Woolly Bugger, olive scud and unreal eggs in peach and white. The Brown trout are being caught on Rogues, nightcrawlers and Countdowns.
Remember to keep only what you can eat and release the rest for another day. Rick Culver of Wilderness Trail does the research for this report and the writing of this report.
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 500.0 Temperature:
Release Rate: 236 Level: 6.95 feet low
Largemouth Bass No Report
White Bass fair
Crappie fair using minnows and jigs
Smallmouth Bass No Report
Spotted Bass No Report
Catfish good on live bait
Bluegill No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Water Temp:
Lake Level: Full
Report by: Art
Catfish No Report
Bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature: Level: normal
Sunfish slow
Largemouth Bass fair using soft plastic lures and crankbaits
Crappie slow
Bluegill fair using crickets
Catfish slow using chicken livers at night
GRAND
RIVER
(Below Urich)
Updated 12/16/05
Report by: Vansel's Little Countryside Bait & More Shop
Catfish poor
Flatheads: No Report
Channel Cats: No Report
Blue Cats: No Report
Crappie: No Report
Updated 12/16/05
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 40 Woods Bait & Tackle Missouri Wildlife Check In Station Braggin' Board
Catfish are biting river worms and shrimp
Bluegill good on crickets waxworks and river worms
Crappie fair to poor on minnows
Bass fair top water early am
Updated 11/30/05
Temp: 48
WATER LEVEL: FULL POOL
WATER CONDITION CLEAR
Channel catfish FAIR
Largemouth bass FAIR
Bluegill sunfish FAIR
Redear sunfish FAIR
Crappie FAIR
Trout GOOD, at Honker Pond (kid’s fishing only) and Coot Lake (catch and release fishing only until February 1, 2006)
Both brown and rainbow trout were stocked in Coot and Honker Pond November 17, 2005. Additional stockings will occur in February and March. Coot Lake is catch and release with Flies and Artificial lures only until February 1, 2006. At that time statewide regulations take over. To harvest trout everyone must have a trout permit including children fishing at Honker Pond. Adults must also have a Missouri fishing permit.
Cottontail Lake will be closed for physical renovation for the next couple of years. The lake has refilled and has been stocked with small fish. After they reach a harvestable size the lake will reopen for fishing.
This will be the last fishing report until additional trout are stocked on the area in February.
Updated 12/18/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 660.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 500 cfs Outflow: 600 cfs. Level: 3.30 feet low
Mile Marker 81Report By: Old Oarhouse Inn
No Report
Remember a bad day fishing is better than a great day at work.
Report By: Anthony Ford: Catfish & Spoonbill Guide
Fishing on Lake of the Ozarks is great catching allot of fish on cut bait in
30-35 foot of water off main channel several in the 20 lb range this is the best
time of year for big blues
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 791.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 2 cfs Outflow: 7 cfs Level: 2.66 feet low
Channel Catfish fair using nightcrawlers and liver
Flathead No Report
Walleye No Report
Crappie No Report
Largemouth Bass fair using lures
Bluegill No Report
White Bass No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 891.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 2 cfs Outflow: 8 cfs Level: 0.49 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 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 606.0 Temperature:
Release Rate: 50 Level: 6.00 feet low
Report by: South Fork Resort
Article about Crappie Fishing on Mark Twain
No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature:
Crappie No Report
Bass No Report
MISSOURI
RIVER (Homers
Landing)
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature:
Conditions:
Braggin Board
Catfish good using live shad sides, goldfish on trotlines and limb lines
Waverly Area
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature
Conditions:
Braggin Board
Report by: River Bluff Rod & Gun
No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature:
Report by: Vansel's Little Countryside
Bait & More Shop Channel Catfish:
Flathead:
Largemouth Bass: No Report
Stripers: No Report
Crappie: good
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation: Normal Pool
Temp:
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
Crappie - fair but small
Bass - bass good
Bluegill good
Catfish good
The boat pass price changed to $5.00 day pass and $35 for the year also
Come in and see the new switchback bow from Mathews
THANKS
BIG BIRD
RIDE HARD RIDE FREE
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 839.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 120 cfs Outflow: 50 cfs Level: 0.42 feet low
Black bass No Report
White bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Catfish No Report
Bluegill No Report
Walleye/Muskie No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Temperature: Clarity: Level: low and clear
Catfish No Report
Blue Catfish No Report
Bluegill No Report
Bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Water Temp:
Crappie No Report
Blue Catfish No Report
Channel Catfish No Report
Largemouth Bass No Report
Bluegill No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 864.2 Temperature:
Inflow: 3 cfs Outflow: 25 cfs Level: 1.33 feet high
Report by Burton's Bait and Tackle
CRAPPIE: No Report
BASS: Fair: No Report
CATFISH: Good: No Report
White Bass: Fair: No Report
WALLEYE: Fair: No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 867.7 Temperature:
Inflow: 70 cfs Outflow: 40 cfs Level: 7.75 feet low
Report By: Square Deal Bait Shop-CLOSED for the Season
Black bass No Report
White bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Walleye No Report
Catfish No Report
Updated 11/30/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 915.0 Temperature: 50-53 degrees
Release Rate: 681 cfs. Level: 10.75 feet low
Report By: Table Rock Guide Service-Bill Beck
Lake Level: 905.0
Normal Pool: 915.00'
Water Temp: 50-53 degrees
Mid Lake-Kimberling City Area The cooler weather and drop in lake temperature has really helped the fishing pick up. In early morning and late evening, bass are hitting War Eagle spinner baits in pockets just off the main lake where shore minnows are present. On windy days, bass can be taken on spinner baits off chunk rock banks where the wind is blowing in. As the day goes on, use a Carolina rigged centipede in watermelon red or a brown and purple football head jig on the main lake points and flats in about 30-40 feet of water. The fish are also hitting white jigging spoons on main lake bluff ends over deep tree tops that are in 35-45 feet of water. Also try drop shot rigs and 4 inch gray grub on 1/4 and 3/8 ounce heads 30-45 feet deep on main lake flat gravel points and bluff ends over timber. With the colder weather, some fish are starting to move back into the creeks. They can be caught in the creek channels with jigging spoons, gray grub or drop shot around shad schools. On windy days, the crank bait bite should start to improve. Try throwing a crawfish patter wiggle wart.
Lower End-Damn Area There is an early morning spinner bait bite in cedar trees and gravel pockets just off the main lake. Drop shot and spoon fish are being caught in 35-45 feet deep on long flat main lake gravel points. Throw Football head jigs, brown and purple or green pumpkin ,on main lake gravel in 30-40 feet of water. On main lake and secondary points, throw a wiggle wart crank bait in crawfish patterns on ledges or rock structures. Some fish are starting to move back in the creeks, following the shad schools. They can be caught on jigging spoons, grubs and drop shot rigs.
Upper End-James River Work the main lake flats and points with Carolina rig and football head jigs in about 25-38 feet of water. Try throwing a white jigging spoon in 30-40 feet of water on the main lake flats and points around shad schools. Fish are also being caught on shallow running crank baits in the upper ends of the James and Flat Creek. Work channel banks with crawfish pattern wiggle warts and spinner baits.
Bluegill Some of the bluegill are still shallow but allot of the bigger bluegill are on the main lake gravel flats and points in 25-35 feet deep. Crickets are best.
Crappie I've been catching some nice crappie while fishing for bass on bluff ends over deep tree tops 30-45 feet deep on a 1/2 ounce white spoon and gray grub on 1/4 ounce head. I think crappie fishing will improve as the water temperature cools down. Some crappie are also being caught on flats in 25-35 feet deep in the Long Creek area and the James River on 1/4 oz jigging spoons, crappie jigs and minnows.
Lake Taneycomo Trout fishing is very good in the trophy area and also below Fall Creek dock. In the trophy area from Fall Creek to the damn, the trout size seems to be improving with the cooler weather. I'm catching some nice rainbows and a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming a white 1/16 ounce jig. The trout in the trophy area will also take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power baits. In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16 ounce jig or little Cleo spoon.
Updated 12/10/05
Temperature: Level:
Report by River Run Outfitters
From everyone at RIVER RUN OUTFITTERS, WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! We will be closed Christmas day. We will be open New Year's Day.
Water Conditions: Have been running water in the mornings and afternoons for a while. Anything from 2-4 generators. Off for a while around noon for 2-6 hours.
FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-
No water generating last Sunday until 5:00 p.m. On the water with a couple of fly fishing ladies from Texas. We had a very good day....probably 30-40 fish. The new fly fisher caught a nice 18-20" Brown. We didn't take time to measure it because it was pretty stressed by the time we got it in. The other lady caught a 16" Rainbow right after that one which we did measure, and we know the Brown was definitely bigger. Almost all our fish were caught on the Rusty midge, size 18. Caught a few in the morning on the Copper dun, but we had a pretty overcast day. One of our brave guides was out Monday and fished for a little while. He caught quite a few fish on the Copper dun midge fishing the bank between outlet 2 and 3. Still getting reports from customers that they are seeing shad. Quite possible Table Rock has turned over, especially with the extreme cold weather we have had. Forecast this weekend and next week is mid to upper 40's. We're having a head wave. We'll have to get out and see what the fish are doing. Those braver than us have been coming in the shop and saying that fishing has been good. Still doing better on the smaller (16 or less) scuds in the hatchery area.
STAN'S TIP: Right now the fish are really stressed. We're seeing an unusual number of dead fish in the water. Lots of pressure, lots of fish in the area and many days the oxygen is limited. Make certain you fish is fully revived after you bring it in. Hold it by the tail and support it under the belly with your other hand with the head of the fish facing upstream so the water flow will go through its gills. Don't swish it back and forth, just hold it facing upstream for a bit. When it is ready, it will take off.
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 722.00 Clarity: Level:
Temperature:
Crappie No Report
Bass No Report
Channel Cat No Report
Updated 12/16/05
Lake
Elevation at Normal Pool: 706.0 Temperature:
Inflow: 300 cfs Outflow: 0 cfs Level: 0.26 feet low
MAIN LAKE Report by Sterett Creek Marina CLOSED
This will be the last fishing report for the season as we will be closing the marina down for the winter. We will keep the campground open thru deer season. We will reopen March 1 2006.
We would like to thank all our patrons and wish everyone good holidays and a warm winter. Look forward to seeing you in the spring. Sterett Creek Marina
Catfish Reports by: Anthony Ford: Catfish & Spoonbill Guide for Truman Main Lake
Tebo Arm
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Temp:
Report by:
Crappie No Report
Catfish No Report
Bass No Report
White Bass No Report
Grand River Arm
Lake level 706.30 Water clarity lightly stained
Updated 12/16/05
Lake temp:
Report for Grand River Arm by Bucksaw Marina
Crappie No Report
Catfish and white bass No Report
Black bass No Report
* New Missouri regulations require that jug lines be attended at all times unless anchored.
Updated 12/16/05
Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 359.0 Temperature:
Release Rate: 120 Level: 0.10 feet high
Largemouth Bass fair using spinner baits and plastic worms
White Bass No Report
Crappie No Report
Bluegill No Report
Catfish No Report
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.