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Clearwater Lake
(Southeast Region)
According to the
2005 fish population surveys, largemouth bass,
spotted bass, and white crappie fishing should be
good in 2006. Both largemouth bass and spotted
bass densities were above average. The largemouth
bass population remains in excellent shape with
37% of the bass >15". Likewise, 26% of the spotted
bass were > 14". Crappie numbers were good and
sizes were excellent, with 74% > 10". Clearwater
Lake supports a good white bass population. In
April and early May, white bass migrate up the
Black River to spawn; the best fishing is upstream
of Sinking Creek. White bass of 1-3 pounds are
common.
Each fall, Corps of
Engineers and Missouri Department of Conservation
staff construct several large, hardwood brushpiles
in the lake. Maps are available showing the brushpile
locations. |
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Council
Bluff Lake (Southeast Region)
This 440-acre
lake, located on Mark Twain National Forest
in Iron County, boasts the best redear
sunfish population in the region. Fish 7-10"
are very abundant (Master Angler fish =
10"), although 11-12" fish are not uncommon.
These fish are most readily caught during
the spring and early summer on small worms
or crickets. Due to very clear water, fish
are often found deeper than in other lakes,
even during the spawn. Fish for redears on
the bottom in water 4-15' deep, targeting
points and the mouths of coves. Look for
spawning beds in shallow water in May and
June. Bluegill are less abundant but of
quality size also; 7-8" fish can be found in
the lake’s abundant submerged timber.
Largemouth bass are abundant and average
12-17". They can be challenging to catch in
the clear water, requiring finesse and light
tackle. Topwaters in the very late evening
and early morning are often the ticket.
Channel catfish are stocked annually. The
MDC is conducting a study on channel catfish
in Council Bluff. A number of catfish in the
lake have been marked with tags worth from
$10 to $100. If you catch a tagged catfish,
return the tag to: Mo. Dept. of
Conservation, 1110 South College Avenue,
Columbia, MO 65201. Along with the tag, be
sure to send the following information–date
fish was caught, length of fish, whether
fish was kept or released, and your name and
address. Angling should continue to be good
for catfish up to 20". There is a concrete
boat ramp off Highway DD and a gravel ramp
off Highway 32. |
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Crane Lake
(Southeast Region)
This 99-acre
U.S. Forest Service lake is located in Iron
County. The lake is very clear and has
minimal cover, which makes fishing a
challenge on bright days. A successful
aquatic- plant establishment project is
ongoing by the USFS and MDC in an attempt to
improve fish habitat. Largemouth bass
average 10-14", with a few larger fish to be
found. A 12-15" slot length limit is in
effect and anglers are encouraged to harvest
smaller bass to improve overall bass size.
Bass can be found around beaver lodges,
downed trees, overhanging vegetation, and
aquatic vegetation planting exclosures.
Lighter lines and smaller lures are often
the key to taking bass from the lake’s clear
water. Channel catfish are very abundant,
averaging 10-17", with a few fish to 20".
Fish the shallow coves around woody cover in
May and June. An occasional redear sunfish
can be found; most are 8-12". Look for
redear spawning beds in shallow water in May
and June. Black crappie are present in low
numbers and can be found around beaver
lodges and deep water stumps. The lake has a
day-use area, earthen fishing jetty, and
unpaved boat launch. |
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Cypress Lake This 95-acre lake is located on Otter Slough Conservation Area, near Dexter.
Most anglers target sunfish. Redear sunfish and bluegill are abundant; redear
will average 6-7" and bluegill 5-6". Channel catfish angling should continue to
be excellent. Fish averaged 13-16", with numerous fish greater than 20". One tip for catfish is to fish
the shallows near the jetties during spring evenings--before aquatic vegetation
becomes abundant. Largemouth bass angling will continue to be excellent, with
many fish 12-20". Bass anglers report catching fish in excess of 20". A 15-inch
minimum length limit is in effect. This regulation will allow more small bass to
remain in the lake to feed on small bluegill, thereby improving bluegill and redear sunfish growth rates. Bass can be taken in the spring on plugs and
spinner baits along the north shoreline and throughout the lake during summer on
plastic worms, plugs, and spinner baits along weedlines. Black crappie are low
in abundance but average 10". The lake has numerous brush piles. A
disabled-accessible fishing dock and boat ramp are located on the lake. The lake
is closed from Oct. 15 to Feb. 1 as a waterfowl refuge. |
Duck Creek C.A. Pool #1 (Southeast Region)
Fishing Pool #1 is a unique experience because of the extensive
aquatic vegetation present. The aquatic vegetation can make
navigation and fishing difficult later in the summer, but this
vegetation is the primary reason for the excellent fish
populations in the lake. To create open water areas in 2005, MDC
personnel applied herbicide which killed about 125 acres of
submerged vegetation in the southwest corner of the pool. In 2006,
submerged vegetation should slowly re-colonize this area. In May
2006, we will apply herbicides in the southeast corner of the pool
to create additional open water areas. Maps showing the herbicide
treatment areas can be obtained by calling the number above.
Crappie fishing should be good, with fish > 10 " common’. The
best crappie fishing occurs in March or April as the water
temperature approaches 50 degrees. Sunfish angling should also be
good, with large fish (>8") abundant. The best time to fish for
bluegill, redear sunfish, and warmouth is during May and June.
Most are caught on crickets or jigs. Because the water is crystal
clear, anglers need to use light (4 lb) fishing line.
Pool #1 supports an excellent largemouth bass population. You
may not catch many bass, but the bass you catch could be large. In
the 2005 fish survey, 26% of the bass were > 15". The chain
pickerel population is underutilized and Master Angler size
pickerel (>23") are fairly common. The best pickerel fishing is in
February, March, and April. You should use spinner baits, other
weedless lures, or large minnows.
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Fredericktown City Lake
(Southeast Region)
This 140-acre lake in Madison County supports a fair largemouth
bass population. Expect to catch mostly 12-15" bass, which should
provide good catch and release fishing. There are good numbers of
6-7" bluegill, although few are >8". Channel catfish should
provide good fishing, with many fish in the 2- to 5-pound range.
Fish for channel catfish with night crawlers, liver, or stink
baits. Channel catfish 8-12" are stocked annually. Crappie fishing
should be fair to good.
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Lake Girardeau
(Southeast Region)
The lake continues to support a good largemouth bass
population. All sizes of bass are present, including many bass
<15". Each spring, a few 8-10 pound bass are caught. It appears
that harvest is reducing the number of bass >15". Therefore,
anglers are encouraged to release larger bass. Anglers will find
low numbers of 9-14" black and white crappie. Bluegill angling
should be fair, with a few fish >8". Most of the redear sunfish
are 7-12", which should provide very good fishing. Channel catfish
angling will again be good.
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Perry County Lake (Southeast
Region)
Largemouth bass fishing should be excellent. In the
2005 fish survey, 28% of the bass were >15". Bass anglers
should fish brushpiles, aquatic vegetation enclosures, or
the aeration boils where gizzard shad congregate. Lures
that imitate gizzard shad or crayfish should be very
effective.
Bluegill fishing should be good. Bluegill > 6" are
common, but few are >8". Large redear sunfish (9-11")
should provide anglers with an excellent challenge. The
white and black crappie populations are stunted, with only
2% of the fish > 9". The majority of crappie are caught in
April, May, and September. Anglers are encouraged to
harvest 30 crappie per day. Minnows fished in woody cover
work well for crappie. Channel catfish angling should also
be good, with some fish up to 10 lbs. Anglers should fish
with cut bait, stink bait, or nightcrawlers around fallen
timber.
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Robert DeLaney Lake
(Southeast Region)
White crappie fishing should be good in 2006. The white
crappie population is comprised mainly of small fish (85%
< 9"), but some large (>10") crappie are present.
According to tagging studies and population surveys,
anglers harvest a high percentage of 8" crappie.
Consequently, on March 1, 2006, crappie regulations will
change from statewide limits (no minimum length and 30
daily) to a 9" minimum length limit with a daily limit of
15. These new regulations will reduce harvest of the
smaller crappie and ultimately should result in more large
crappie in the lake
Bluegill angling should be good due to an abundance of
6-7" fish, but fish >8" are rare. Bluegill can be easily
caught with worms or crickets anywhere along the
shoreline. Largemouth bass numbers are low, but 41% of the
bass are >15". Channel catfish angling should also be
good, with some fish up to 10 lbs. Anglers should fish
with cut bait, stink bait, or nightcrawlers around fallen
timber.
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Wappapello Lake
(Southeast Region)
Crappie fishing will continue to be good. Most of the
white crappie will be 6-10", with fair numbers of 10-12"
fish, and a few up to 14". There will be a very high
number black crappie <9". A 9" minimum length limit will
be implemented for crappie on March 1, 2006. All crappie
<9" must be released unharmed immediately after being
caught. The daily limit of 30 crappie will not change.
Largemouth bass angling should be good and similar to
recent years. Most of the bass will be 8-15", but large
bass are not uncommon. There is no size limit for black
bass, and anglers are encouraged to harvest bass <11", up
to the daily limit of six. This should allow the remaining
bass to grow faster, resulting in more larger bass.
Bluegill fishing should again be good, with many 6-8"
fish. Sunfish anglers can also expect to catch redear
sunfish, warmouth, green sunfish, and longear sunfish.
Channel catfish are common, especially along the dam. A
few large flathead and blue catfish are also present. |
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