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Fellows Lake
Fellows Lake,
located just north of Springfield, offers diverse,
close-to-home fishing opportunities. While higher
than normal water levels during spring 2005 made
sampling problematic, inundated timber and
vegetation provided adequate spawning and nursery
habitat for near-shore spawning species.
Largemouth bass fishing should remain fair to good
during 2006. Population data indicates that
approximately 21% of bass are >15". This
represents an increase in the proportion of
quality sized fish since 2002. A 12-15" protected
slot length limit helps provide excellent
catch-and-release fishing. Fish attractors,
constructed from deciduous trees, continue to
provide good areas to catch fish. Selected brush
structures were replenished in 2004 and 2005. For
a detailed contour map and brush pile locations,
contact the Missouri Department of Conservation
(417/895-6880). Muskie fishing should be fair to
good in 2006 as sampling data indicate that 25% of
the population is >36" (legal harvest size).
Expect best fishing success on overcast, rainy
days during the fall or early spring months when
water temperature is below 70¡F. Fish large
spinners, bucktails, or plugs near brush structure
or weed beds. Muskie are occasionally caught as
anglers fish for largemouth bass. Carefully
handling both sub-legal and legal muskie at the
water’s edge will increase their chances for
survival. Channel catfish remain abundant
throughout the lake and commonly run from 8-19".
Preferred baits include chicken livers,
nightcrawlers, prepared baits, and cutbait.
Walleye and crappie anglers should expect fair
fishing success in 2006. Walleye can be caught
fishing gravel points in the spring, the backs of
coves in the summer using crappie jigs,
nightcrawlers, or minnows, and trolling
deep-diving crankbaits across main lake points.
The minimum length limit for walleye is 15".
Minnows and tube jigs are the preferred baits for
crappie anglers in and around brush piles and
vegetation. Spring will provide the best
opportunity for catching quality (10-13") fish.
Both white and black crappie are present with most
fish ranging from 7-9". Bluegill fishing will be
fair this year but most will range from 3-5".
Quality sized bluegill (>6") make up approximately
12% of the population. Small pieces of worms and a
bobber make an excellent rig for children to catch
this species. Numerous redear sunfish were
collected during spring sampling. They will
provide the opportunity to battle a larger sunfish
species. Springfield City Utilities owns Fellows
Lake and requires an annual boat permit. Boat
motors are limited to 40 horsepower or less. A
disabled user accessible fishing dock is located
on the northeast arm of the lake, and a 2-lane
boat ramp with disabled access and courtesy dock
is located at the marina area. |
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Kellogg Lake
Largemouth
bass fishing should be good. Numbers are
excellent and bass >15" are present in low
numbers. Stocked channel catfish should
provide good fishing. Bluegill fishing will
continue to be poor as overall size
structure is dominated by fish <6". Common
Carp are present in low numbers, but larger
sized fish (in excess of 10 lbs) have been
observed. For anglers who want to catch a
large fish these carp should provide a real
battle. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft
plastics, and minnows fished near brush or
the edge of vegetation should draw strikes
from largemouth bass. Favorite baits for
catfish include nightcrawlers, liver, and
prepared dough baits fished on the bottom in
2-7 feet of water. Water willow is becoming
more abundant around the shoreline in
shallow water. This should provide fish
habitat and increase the success of anglers
who are limited to bank fishing. Brushpile
fish attractors should provide fishing
opportunities for both bank and boat
anglers. Community Assistance Program
fishing facilities are available and include
a fishing jetty and a boat launching ramp.
See posted regulations on the area for size
and creel limits. |
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Lake
Springfield
Largemouth
bass fishing will be good in 2006 as the
population’s size structure has remained
consistent since 2003, providing bass in all
size ranges. A good portion of the
largemouth bass will be >15", and some will
be >18". The percentage of bass in the
12-15" protected slot will also remain
consistent and continue to provide
catch-and-release fishing opportunities.
Gizzard shad are providing ample forage,
increasing the chances to catch a trophy
bass. Spotted bass are becoming more common
in Lake Springfield, and several will be
available for harvest in 2006. Crappie
anglers can expect some fishing success this
year. Quality size crappies exist, but are
limited in number. White crappie is the
dominant crappie species. Bluegill anglers
can expect poor fishing success; large
bluegill (>6") comprise a very small
percentage of the bluegill population.
Channel catfish are preferred by many Lake
Springfield anglers and should continue to
provide excellent fishing. Many 10-20"
channel catfish are present. Favorite baits
include nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and
prepared dough baits. Anglers also have an
opportunity to catch a variety of stream
fishes such as golden redhorse suckers,
bullheads, carp, rock bass, longear sunfish,
and green sunfish. Community Assistance
Program fishing facilities are available and
include a barrier-free fishing jetty,
disabled user fishing dock located near the
dam, and a boat launching ramp. Fishing line
recycling bins have been added in 2005 as
part of the Adopt-an-Access program. Lake
Springfield has a 6-horsepower limit on boat
motors. |
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Lake
Taneycomo
Anglers can
look forward to good trout fishing
throughout the year. The 20" minimum length
limit on brown trout has resulted in good
numbers of large brown trout and the
opportunity to catch larger trout. Two new
state record brown trout were caught at Lake
Taneycomo during 2005. The highest densities
of both brown trout and rainbow trout occur
above Branson. However, good trout fishing
can be found throughout the lake. In the
upper 3 miles of Lake Taneycomo from Table
Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek there is
a 12-20" slot length limit on rainbow trout.
In this area anglers are required to
immediately release all rainbow trout
between 12" and 20". Only artificial lures
and flies may be used in the upper 3 miles
from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall
Creek. Soft plastic and natural and scented
baits are prohibited in this area. These
regulations have resulted in significant
improvement in the rainbow trout population.
Nine percent of the rainbow trout in this
upper 3 mile reach were >13" when this
regulation went into effect in March 1997.
The percentage of rainbow trout >13" in this
same reach increased to 59% by August 2005.
In this same area, almost one-half of the
brown trout are currently >16".
Below the
mouth of Fall Creek, there is no length
limit on rainbow trout and there is no
restriction on bait. Cooper Creek Access is
open for public use. This access is fully
accessible to disabled users and features a
two lane launching ramp, courtesy dock,
covered fishing dock, and restroom. Planning
is underway to expand the floating fishing
dock to accommodate more anglers. The access
is located off of Fall Creek Road between
Highway 76 and Highway 165.
Remember, all
anglers fishing in Lake Taneycomo upstream
from the Highway 65 bridge near Branson are
required to have a trout permit. The daily
limit of trout is four (4) with a possession
limit of eight (8). Of these, only one (1)
fish in the daily limit and two (2) fish in
the possession limit may be brown trout.
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Pomme de
Terre Reservoir
Prospects for
fishing on Pomme de Terre Reservoir in 2006
remain very good. Excellent shad production
in 2006 continues to keep all game species
growing at a fast pace and in very good
condition. Black bass fishing should be very
good in 2006. Sampling results from spring
2005 showed a strong 2002 year class ranging
from 13 to 15". Other good year classes from
2004 and 2003 grouped around 8 and 11",
respectively. The minimum length limit for
all black bass (largemouth, spotted, and
smallmouth bass) is 13" at Pomme de Terre.
Forty-five percent of the largemouth bass
captured in the spring were >13" minimum
length limit, and a total of 10% were >15".
Bluegill angling should remain good using
nightcrawlers and crickets. Catfish fishing
will remain fair. Overall densities of black
crappies and white crappies remain similar
to those of 2005 and should provide good
crappie fishing in 2006. Good size
distribution and densities of black and
white crappies were observed during fall
2005 sampling. Sampling data show that
approximately 60% of the age 1 and older
crappies exceed the 9" minimum length limit;
30% exceed 10". Several fish attractor
brushpiles were placed in the lake around
the Nemo area of the Lindley Creek Arm in
2005 and should provide excellent fishing
"hot spots" for crappie, bass, and muskies.
Brushpiles are typically placed in 15’ to
30’ of water at the normal lake level of
839’ above mean sea level. Maps showing the
lake-wide locations of fish attractors
installed since 1995 can be obtained by
visiting the Department of Conservation’s
website at mdc.mo.gov or by contacting the
Lebanon Conservation Department Office at
417-532-7612. Angling for white bass is
expected to be fair and provide some fish
larger than 15". Muskie angling
opportunities will continue to be excellent
in 2006. Spring 2005 sampling results showed
large year classes from the 1999 and 2000
stockings, with 15% exceeding the 36"
minimum length limit and densities at an all
time high. Muskie fishing is typically best
during the months of September and October
at water temperatures between 60 and 70
degrees F. Anglers should use heavy fishing
tackle with a minimum of 20 lb. test line, a
stiff rod, and a 6" steel leader between the
line and the lure. Large bucktails or plugs
fished over shallow water humps or points
are normally best for muskies. A cloudy,
rainy, and slightly windy day or early and
late on clear days usually produce the best
muskie action. Walleye population densities
are good due to increased annual stockings
and natural reproduction since 2002. Many of
the walleye exceed the 15" minimum length
limit, and the opportunity to catch a legal
fish is good. |
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Shawnee
Trail Conservation Area
Numerous
ponds and strip mine pits are available for
public fishing at Shawnee Trail Conservation
Area. Largemouth bass fishing should be good
in Pin Oak Lake. Numbers are low, but size
structure is good; fish >20" have been
observed. Bluegill fishing should be fair.
Population size structure and numbers
indicate quality size (>6") bluegill should
be present. Redear sunfish are present in
moderate numbers, but most individuals
exceed 8". In the spring try worms,
crickets, small spinners, or flies in the
flats along the west end of the lake for
best results. Channel catfish, preferred by
many area anglers, should provide excellent
fishing. There are a large number of catfish
>18" in Pin Oak Lake. Favorite baits include
nightcrawlers, liver, and prepared dough
baits. The best areas for catfish are the
ends of the jetties and north off of the
floating dock. Facilities available include
a gravel parking lot with disabled
accessible dock and a boat launching ramp.
Most of the strip mine pits on the area
contain largemouth bass and sunfish which
can provide excellent fishing. Channel
catfish should continue to provide excellent
fishing as they are stocked in several
easily accessible ponds and strip mine pits.
Largemouth bass >20", sunfish >10", and
channel catfish up to 28" in length have
been observed in various ponds and pits
during surveys. Best bets: catfish - pits 1
and 29 and ponds 36 and 37; largemouth bass
- pits 4 and 7 and ponds 37 and 38; and
sunfish pits - 4 and 7 and ponds 32 and 38.
Treatment of lily pads and American lotus
continued in impoundments and pits on the
area in 2005. These control efforts should
provide improved angler access to several
small impoundments on the area. Efforts to
provide improved access in the form of mowed
trails to the strip mine pits on the area
have begun and will provide increased
opportunity for anglers to explore the
various bodies of water on the area.
Construction of additional mowed trails,
primitive boat ramps, parking lots, and
roadways should continue during the winter
of 2005-2006. This should provide a
diversity of access for various users of the
strip mine pits and ponds on the area. See
posted regulations on the area for size and
creel limits. |
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Stockton
Lake
Spring 2005
electrofishing surveys were completed and
indicate that the Stockton Lake black bass
populations are similar to those of past
years. Fifteen percent of the stock-size
largemouth bass captured were larger than
legal size (>15"). Angler surveys show that
largemouth bass are the species most often
caught and harvested by anglers. Spotted
bass and smallmouth bass are also present,
but comprise smaller percentages of the
black bass population, and provide fewer
legal-sized fish. With good shad production
and normal water level, bass angling should
be good during 2006. Casting crankbaits,
spinner baits, and plastic worms or grubs in
select habitats and at the right times of
the year are the most effective methods for
catching black bass. Electrofishing and
angler surveys have shown improvements in
the walleye fishery since stocking began in
1998. Stocking, along with the reduction in
the minimum size limit, has resulted in the
desired increase in the number of
angler-harvested walleyes. Spring 2005
electrofishing yielded excellent numbers of
walleyes; about 89% of the fish captured
were >15". Because 2005 was not a stocking
year, few young-of-the-year walleyes were
captured during the recent fall survey.
However, excellent numbers of walleyes from
the 2004 year class were captured.
Traditionally, capturing good numbers of
walleye that are nearly two years old in the
fall would mean excellent walleye fishing
the following year. Unfortunately, due to
poor shad production in 2005, the average
size of the two year old walleyes in 2006
will be less than legal size (>15"), so
harvest opportunities will be more limited.
Walleye stocking is scheduled for spring
2006 at a rate of 25 to 30 small fingerlings
per acre for a total of 750,000 walleyes.
Walleye anglers should expect good walleye
fishing during 2006, but the fish available
for harvest early in the year will be at
least three years old. This will result in
less harvest, but a larger average harvest
length. Jigging with natural bait in 15-25'
of water during midsummer is one of the
preferred techniques for catching walleye.
Trolling bottom-bouncers with natural bait
and casting or trolling deep-running
crankbaits can sometimes also be successful
methods. Crappie recruitment has been
inadequate at Stockton Lake for most of the
past several years. Previous fall trapnet
surveys indicated that a good crappie year
class was produced in 2003. Many of the 2003
year class of crappies were harvested in
2005, and they will also provide the
majority of the harvest in 2006. Fall 2005
trapnet surveys showed that the 2003 year
class dominated the captures, and total
crappie numbers captured were higher than
the previous several years. The good news is
that several young-of-the-year crappie were
captured in the nets indicating a better
than average 2005 year class and better
prospects for the future. Crappie growth is
excellent and the percentage of legal fish
in this year’s survey was high. Numerous
white bass were observed during the fall
2005 walleye survey, which indicates
successful white bass recruitment in 2005.
These small white bass will provide good
fishing for average sized white bass by fall
of 2006. The best white bass fishing occurs
near or in Stockton’s tributary streams from
mid-March to the end of April. Anglers
trolling or fishing the windy lake points
for white bass in the fall may also be
successful. Crankbaits, spinner baits, buzz
baits, and white jigs are good choices for
catching white bass. Both flathead and
channel catfish are present in the lake and,
at times, provide good fishing, usually
during the spawning season in June.
Trotlines or jug lines can provide good
catfish fishing during the right times.
Bluegill should not be overlooked by
Stockton anglers that enjoy pan fishing.
Fishing pressure is light with good numbers
of large fish available. Bluegill fishing is
usually best during summer months using
nightcrawlers or crickets in 12-20' of water
around structures. |
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Table Rock
Lake
Fishing for
black bass should be excellent during 2006.
The outlook is good for the next several
years. The minimum length limit for all
three species of black bass, smallmouth
bass, largemouth bass, and spotted bass, is
15". Black bass population structure is
excellent throughout the reservoir. James
River Arm and Kings River Arm have the
highest densities of black bass, but also
have the highest fishing pressure. Spotted
bass comprise about 20% of the black bass
population. The best spotted bass fishing
occurs in the main part of the lake rather
than the river arms. Largemouth bass
dominate the river arms. Smallmouth bass
also comprise a substantial segment of the
black bass population. The best area of the
lake to catch smallmouth bass is from the
Highway 86 bridge to Campbell Point. Crappie
fishing, based on spring electrofishing
surveys and the 2005 angler catch, will be
excellent again in 2006. The best crappie
fishing will be in the James River Arm,
Kings River Arm, and upper Long Creek Arm.
However, there will be good numbers of
crappie throughout the entire reservoir. The
minimum length limit for crappie is 10".
Anglers will have the opportunity to catch
some very large white bass. The best
opportunity to catch white bass is in the
spring when the fish move into tributary
streams to spawn. Anglers willing to troll
or fish jigging spoons can catch white bass
during the summer months. Large crankbaits
trolled on a 3-way swivel with a small,
white rooster tail are very effective on
these fish when they are suspended and
feeding on young-of-the-year shad. Gravel
flats 25 to 40’ deep are the best areas to
troll or spoon for white bass. Walleye
fishing opportunities have also improved in
recent years. Areas around the dam and in
the Kings River Arm provide good spring
walleye fishing. Recent stocking of walleye
fingerlings in the James River Arm could
translate into improved walleye fishing in
this part of the lake over the next few
years. Table Rock Lake has excellent
bluegill fishing, but few anglers know how
to catch these fish. The best time to catch
bluegill is in late May and early June. Look
for gravel areas and pockets. Fish with live
crickets on light tackle with a small
splitshot. Look for these fish between 10’
and 15’ deep. Large numbers of bluegill tend
to spawn in a small area. Once you find
spawning bluegill you can usually catch
several. Between March 15 and April 30,
anglers will have the opportunity to snag
paddlefish, one of the largest fish found in
North America. Paddlefish concentrate each
spring in the upper reaches of the James
River Arm above Cape Fair. Paddlefish must
be 34" (eye to fork of tail) to be
harvested. If the James River raises enough
to stimulate a spawning run, paddlefish will
migrate upstream to spawn. The extent and
duration of these migrations are dependent
upon river flows, but can extend for several
miles upstream. |
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