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Deer Ridge Lake
This 48-acre lake,
nestled among the timber in Deer Ridge
Conservation Area, continues to be favored by
anglers seeking solitude and a picturesque
setting. The lake was renovated and restocked
during 1996, and the fish community is now fully
developed. All species supported good fishing
during 2005 and will again during 2006. Largemouth
bass remain very numerous, although most are less
than 15 inches long. A few bass over six pounds
are present. Bluegill 6 to 7 inches long are
plentiful, and the abundance of bluegill over 8
inches long has increased. Crappie anglers should
continue to enjoy catching 8 to 10-inch long black
crappie, especially during springtime. However,
summertime crappie fishing can also be good around
standing timber and brush piles. Anglers seeking
channel catfish should find fishing to be fair;
most catfish are 16 to 26 inches long. Area
visitors may also want to take advantage of the
primitive camping areas, hiking trails, and
shooting range available at this Conservation
Area. |
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Green City
Lake
This 60 acre
lake in Sullivan County should provide
excellent fishing for channel catfish in
2006. Recent surveys of catfish show good
numbers of fish over four pounds, with many
reaching or exceeding six pounds. The lake
is also stocked annually with 300 catfish
(5/acre), so anglers should be able to
harvest their daily limit of 4 channel
catfish. In fall 2004, 300 channel catfish
were stocked with reward tags worth from $10
to $100 as part of a research study.
Largemouth bass numbers were fair during
spring sampling in 2003. Most bass will be
12 inches long or less, but some fish over
15 inches long are present. Good numbers of
6-8 inch long bluegill can be found, so
fishing for that species should be good.
Crappie fishing should be fair, with some
longer than 13 inches. Boaters are reminded
that outboard motors in excess of 10
horsepower are allowed but must be operated
at slow, no-wake speed. |
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Hazel Creek
Lake
Fishing will
be much the same in 2006 according to fish
surveys conducted in 2005. Although young
largemouth bass numbers are improving, the
18-inch minimum length limit will remain in
effect. While bass numbers are low to
moderate, average size is impressive. Nearly
50% of bass caught by anglers will be
greater than 15 inches long and two out of
ten fish are expected to be 18 inches or
longer. The white crappie population
continues to improve, but most fish caught
by anglers in 2006 will be less than 8
inches long. Muskie fishing is predicted to
be fantastic in 2006. Nearly 50% of the
muskies captured with fyke nets in spring
2005 were 36 inches or longer including 46"
and 47" fish that weighed 30 pounds each! In
order to safely release these large, toothy
predators at boat side, anglers should keep
a floating ruler, needle-nose pliers, hook
cutter and leather gloves handy. Anglers who
wish to assist first-hand with muskie
management in Missouri are encouraged to
participate in the ShowMe Muskie project, a
volunteer angler diary program. Channel
catfish in the 2 to 4 pound range are
available, but not in great numbers. Blue
catfish were stocked in 1990 and may be
caught using dead shad as bait. Bow fishing
for common carp and grass carp is encouraged
and can be very exciting throughout the
spring and summer months. |
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Henry Sever
Lake
Angling at
this 160-acre lake will be similar to recent
years. Muskie fishing is expected to improve
this year as many of the fish stocked in
2002 will be approaching 30" by the end of
this year. The minimum length limit for
muskies was also reduced to meet the
statewide limit of 36". This rule takes
effect on March 1st. Fish
exceeding 40" will also be present. Although
walleye have not been stocked in the lake
for quite a few years, a low level
population persists with fishing averaging
over three pounds. Largemouth bass size will
continue to be good with fish of all sizes
being common. A 12" – 15" slot length limit
is still in place for largemouth bass.
Channel catfish angling by pole and line
will continue to be good with fish of all
sizes present. Panfishing will also be good
on the lake with large redear sunfish being
the best bet. Area facilities include a
handicap-accessible fishing dock, graveled
camping pads, a concrete boat ramp, and boat
rental (motor not included). |
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Hunnewell
Lake
This 220-acre
lake consistently provides good to excellent
fishing for most, and 2006 will be no
exception. Largemouth bass anglers can
expect plenty of catch-and-release action
due to very numerous bass in the 12 to
15-inch protected length range. One of every
twenty bass caught should be 15 inches or
longer and a few bass over 22 inches long
are present. Bass growth has slowed in
recent years, so we encourage anglers to
harvest bass up to their daily limit of six
bass less than 12 inches long. The most
exciting fishing opportunities in the lake
are for bluegill and redear sunfish,
especially during late May. Panfish anglers
will find bluegill up to 9 inches long and
redear sunfish over 11 inches long. Crappie
are also abundant, and a good proportion of
them will exceed 9 inches in length. Anglers
can expect one of every six crappie caught
to be at least 9 inches long. Catfish
angling (both channels and blues) will
continue to be good during 2006. Blue
catfish are stocked annually, and several
exceeding 30 pounds are caught in the lake
each year. Private boats are prohibited on
this lake to protect Hunnewell Hatchery from
zebra mussel invasion. Rental boats are
available. Children, elderly, and disabled
anglers will enjoy using the barrier-free
fishing dock. Brush piles have been sunk
below the covered dock to attract big
panfish. Numerous brush fish |
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LaBelle Lake
This 112-acre
lake, formerly known as LaBelle City Lake
and managed through the Department’s
Community Assistance Program, was purchased
by the Conservation Department in 2003.
Fishing will be good for all species during
2006. Largemouth bass are very abundant with
plenty of fish smaller than 14 inches and
good numbers in the 14 to 18-inch protected
length range. In fact, one of every four or
five bass caught should be at least 15
inches long, and one of every 20 should
exceed 18 inches long. To reduce bass
abundance and maintain good bass growth,
anglers are encouraged to keep bass less
than 14 inches long, up to their daily limit
of six. The bluegill population has improved
with excellent numbers of fish 6 to 8 inches
long and some over 8 inches. Redear sunfish
up to 11 inches long are also moderately
abundant. In recent years, this lake has
become a hotspot for crappies anglers, and
crappie anglers can expect another good
spring season in 2006. Black crappie over 9
inches long are common and easy to catch
during the spring. Channel catfish will also
provide excellent fishing opportunities
during 2006. Good numbers of catfish up to
18 inches long are present. |
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Lake Showme
This 225 acre
lake in Scotland County should provide
excellent fishing for multiple species.
Largemouth bass numbers were excellent
during spring sampling in 2004. Almost 25%
of the bass sampled were at least 15 inches
long. Panfish angling should continue to be
excellent in 2006. Anglers should expect to
catch a high percentage of bluegill seven
inches and longer. Although not as numerous
as bluegill, good numbers of redear eight
inches or longer should also be encountered
while targeting panfish. Crappie anglers
frequently harvest large numbers of nine to
11 inch long fish from the fishing dock.
Walleye, which are stocked by the City of
Memphis, continue to provide a quality
angling experience in this north Missouri
lake. The spring 2005 electrofishing survey
for walleye showed that 96% of those
captured were at least 15 inches long, and
nearly one-fourth of the walleye captured
were at least 20 inches long. There is an 18
inch minimum length for walleye and only
four walleye may be kept per day. Boaters
are reminded that outboard motors in excess
of 10 horsepower are allowed but must be
operated at slow, no-wake speed. |
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Long Branch
Lake
Anglers will
find little change in the largemouth bass
population in 2006. Numbers of bass continue
to be poor, but 20% of this low density
population will be over the legal length
limit of 15 inches. Anglers may notice an
increase in the catch rate of bass less than
12 inches due to the production of a good
2004 year-class. Walleye, last stocked in
2001 have faired well and all of these fish
meet or exceed the 18-inch minimum length
limit. A good time to fish for walleye at
Long Branch Lake is mid to late March when
walleye are spawning along the dam. Channel
catfish in the 2-3 pound range will continue
to provide good action for bank anglers and
those fishing trotlines off of points and in
flooded timber. Large blue catfish are not
uncommon; jugs fished with shad are most
effective in spring and early summer.
Flathead catfish are more difficult to
catch, but are available to those willing to
use live bait. Crappie are still growing
slowly, and the population is dominated by
fish less than 8 inches long. Abundant small
carp will provide fast action for pole and
line angling and bow fishing. A barrier-free
fishing dock near the marina enhances
fishing opportunities at this lake. |
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Mark Twain Lake
Largemouth bass fishing during
2005 was very good until late summer, and anglers can expect
fishing to be similar during 2006. Based on spring 2005 surveys,
bass abundance in Mark Twain has declined over the last two
years, largely because few bass were produced in 2002. However,
the abundance of bass at least 15 inches long remains good, so
anglers can expect good bass fishing during 2006. Three of every
10 fish caught during 2006 should exceed 15 inches long. Crappie
fishing during 2006 will also be similar to 2005, although the
abundance of small crappie has continued to decline. Crappie
growth during 2005 was slow; however the abundance of crappie at
least 9 inches long has increased. Three of every ten crappie
caught should exceed 9 inches long, and anglers should not have
to filter through as many small crappie as they have in most
recent years. White bass fishing will remain sporadic. Anglers
do best when these fish are spawning on riffles in tributary
streams in early spring, or while feeding on schooling shad or
congregating over underwater humps during the summer. Walleye
abundance remains low, although anglers are reporting more
incidental catches than during most recent years. Anglers should
also consider walleye fishing in tributary streams of the lake
during early spring where walleye abundance has increased due to
recent tributary stream stockings. Catfish anglers can expect
good fishing to continue this year. Many flathead catfish
exceeding 25 pounds are caught each year on trot lines, bank
lines, and jugs. Catfish anglers do best in the upper portions
of North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork arms. |
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Route J Reservoir
Largemouth bass fishing in this
100-acre water supply lake will be very good during 2006.
Anglers can expect plenty of catch-and-release action for 12 to
15-inch bass; however, bass exceeding 15 inches long will not be
uncommon. Anglers will have a fair chance at bass over 5 pounds.
Bluegill will also provide good fishing during 2006. All sizes
are abundant so only one of every 10 caught will exceed 8 inches
long. Black crappie are present in moderate numbers with most
fish between 6 and 9" long. Crappie anglers may want to fish
around the eleven brush piles scattered around the lake. Channel
catfish are stocked annually. Most catfish will be 12 to 20
inches long. This lake also provides excellent ice fishing for
most species. |
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Thomas Hill Reservoir
4,500 acre Thomas Hill Reservoir
provides water for cooling Associated Electric’s coal-fired
generators. The warm water discharge results in a unique,
year-round fishery. White Crappie are one of the most sought
after species and anglers should expect similar action in 2006
as in 2005, but with fewer large fish. Our fall 2005
trap-netting survey revealed more adult crappie than in 2004,
but only 25% were 9 inches or longer. Popular with wintertime
anglers due to their attraction to the warm water discharge,
hybrid striped bass are known for their fierce fight. Fish
exceeding the minimum length limit of 20 inches can be caught on
rattling lures, soft plastics and jigs, as well as chicken
livers and minnows. Both crappie and hybrid striped bass are
vulnerable through the winter months in and below the warm-water
discharge canal on the southeast side of the lake. Largemouth
bass enthusiasts will be pleased with Thomas Hill Reservoir in
2006. Anglers will find higher numbers of bass and a larger
proportion will be 15 inches or longer than in 2005. Flathead
and channel catfish round out the angling choices at this
reservoir. A majority of channel catfish are small due to
overpopulation, so anglers are encouraged to take home their
daily limit of ten. There is the potential to catch a large
Flathead catfish and they can be best pursued with live bait in
late May and June. Brush piles were placed in the lake as
fish-attracting cover from 1991 through 1994. In spring 2005,
eleven of these brush piles had new brush added to them and four
new brush piles were constructed. Call the Northeast Regional
Office to request a location map, or just look for the bright
yellow "Fish Attractor" signs on shore; the brush pile is
nearby. |
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Unionville City Lake
This 85 acre lake in Putnam
County should provide excellent fishing for channel catfish in
2006. The lake is annually stocked with 1275 catfish (15/acre),
so anglers should find plenty of 1-3 pound fish. There should
also be plenty of 5-8 pound catfish available. Anglers are
encouraged to harvest their limit of 4 channel catfish per day.
Largemouth bass numbers are low, but the majority of bass should
be longer than 15 inches with some over 18 inches. An 18-inch
minimum length limit on bass should help protect young bass,
eventually increasing bass numbers. Bluegill 6 inches and longer
are not abundant, so fishing for that species will generally be
poor. There is a 10-horsepower limit on the lake. |
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