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Paddlefish Report For April 8, 2015

Report for April 8, 2015

For Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks and the Osage River (below Bagnell Dam).

Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s; flows have increased slightly yet remain low. Snagging is good, some days better than others. With the slight increase in flow we are seeing fish starting to move up. The fish are still scattered out, however we are seeing a shift upstream. Harvest is primarily small fish (34-39 inches); we are starting to see a few more of the larger females. As flows increase the fish will start moving more and snagging will improve. Keep in mind that it is the increase in flow that will get the fish moving. We could really use some more good spring rains!

Snaggers are catching a lot of small (30-34 inch) sublegal fish. Please don’t gaff these fish; get them back into the water unharmed immediately; you will be harvesting these fish in future years!

Thanks to snaggers who reported harvesting their tagged paddlefish. 

Violations cited this past week include harvesting sublegal fish, snagging and harvesting game fish other than paddlefish, no permits and non-residents using resident permits.

Hatchery Update – Spawning of paddlefish began last week at Blind Pony Hatchery; these fish have begun to hatch. They will continue spawning fish this week. These fish will be stocked into the reservoirs in Sept. when they are 12-16 inches total length. These are the fish that you’ll begin harvesting in 2023!

If you have any questions call 660-530-5500 or email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov.

Report tagged fish – get a reward

MDC is conducting a long-term study to improve paddlefish management. Participating qualifies you to enter a raffle for up to $500.00 Find out how to participate

Snagging success depends on the weather

Snagging is dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. When water temperatures reach 50–55F and flow increases, paddlefish migrate upstream to spawn. Early in the season harvest is primarily made up of “local” fish and smaller males and immature females. As water temperature and flow increase, the fish will move upstream in the reservoir or river. Males make spawning migrations before females, with more females showing up when water temperatures are 55F and greater.

If we get a dry spring without much rain, snagging may not be as good as it has been in the past, and the fish will remain lower in the reservoirs or rivers. If we have a wet spring, fish will move up higher in the reservoirs or rivers. In some areas snagging may be very difficult or hazardous if flooding occurs. Logs and other debris can float downstream, and boaters need to be careful.

Snagging is good. Snaggers are harvesting fish – some days are better than others. Water temperatures are increasing; surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s. We have had some rain and flows have increased slightly. With the slight increase in flow we are seeing fish starting to move up. The fish are still scattered out, however we are seeing a shift upstream. The forecast is calling for warmer days and chances of rain. Truman Lake is at normal water pool and Lake of the Ozarks up about a foot, yet still low. They are still releasing a little water from Truman Dam; however, they have increased flows at Bagnell Dam. Without additional rain, we will see the flows start decreasing. With the low water levels we are still relying on spring rains to increase flows and get the fish moving. We have good water temperatures, as flows increase snagging should improve!

Snagging places and prospects

Remember: after you have snagged your second paddlefish, you are done snagging for the day

Truman Lake

Please remember the 34-inch-length limit (eye to fork of tail on Truman Lake and its tributaries.
Truman is at normal pool. Flows have increased slightly; they are releasing a little water at Truman Dam. The Osage above where the Sac enters is up over 1-foot. The water temperature is about 58F at the surface.
Snagging is good, with some days better than others. Snaggers are harvesting mostly small fish (34-39 inch fish), although we are seeing a few more of the 60+ pound fish harvested. We saw a few snaggers with limits again this past weekend. Snaggers are catching a lot of sublegal fish (30-34 inch fish); please be sure to release these fish unharmed immediately. The fish are scattered out from Osceola to Taberville; however most of the harvest was in the Osceola and Roscoe areas. We are seeing very few fish harvested above Schell.
Best guess. The fish are starting to move up. Try the deep holes from Osceola to the Taberville area. If flows increase you may want to move up a little higher in the lake.

Public ramps to launch — from down to upstream

Talley Bend Access: go upstream towards Horseshoe Bend and up to the Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek and above towards Osceola.
Brush Creek Access: go downstream towards Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek and below OR upstream towards Osceola and above.
Crowes Crossing: to downstream towards Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek and below OR upstream towards Roscoe and/or go up the Sac River a couple of miles.
City of Osceola: go upstream towards Roscoe and/or go up the Sac River a couple of miles OR go downstream towards Brush Creek Access and down to Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek.
Sac River Access/Highway 82: go down stream towards the Osage, snagging the last couple of miles of the Sac, then continue on toward Osceola and below OR go up towards the Roscoe Access and above.
Roscoe: go downstream to where the Sac and Osage meet, then go up the Sac River a couple of miles or continue downstream towards Osceola OR go upstream towards Taberville and above.
Taberville: go downstream towards Roscoe and below OR go upstream towards the cut and above.
Caution: When the lake level is normal pool (706' msl), some people, especially the snaggers with deeper, V-bottom boats and pontoons, find it difficult to get out of the cove at Brush Creek Access. With the low water boats are NOT able to get out of the cove at City of Osceola Ramp. Be sure to always use caution.

Lake of the Ozarks

Please remember the 34-inch length limit (eye to fork of tail on Lake Ozark and its tributaries. Also, snagging is not permitted from the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to the Highway 65 bridge.
Lake of the Ozarks is up about 1-foot, yet still low. They are releasing a little water from Truman Dam; however, they have increased flows at Bagnell Dam. Flows have increased slightly. The water temperature is about 52F at the surface.
Snagging is continuing to improve, with some days better than others. Snaggers are harvesting primarily small fish (34-39 inch fish); we’ve seen a few more of the 60+ pound fish harvested. Snaggers are catching a lot of sublegal fish (30-34 inch fish), please be sure to release these fish unharmed immediately. The fish are scattered out from MM50 up to the Highway 65 bridge (about MM89.5); there are no real concentrations of fish. Most of the harvest is in the lower in the lake (MM55-MM80). We are seeing several fish come out of the Wigwam Access.  Snaggers are also harvesting some fish on the Niangua Arm at the confluence of the Big and Little Niangua arms. Again, some days better than others.
Best guess. When fish are scattered out, snagging tends to be better lower in the lake. Try the deep holes from MM55 up to Highway 65 bridge. Snaggers seem to be having better luck lower in the lake below MM80. The fish are starting to move; as water temperatures continue to increase you may want to move up a little higher in the lake.

Public ramps to launch — from down to upstream

Browns Bend (around MM61.5): I've been told when the water is low, it can be difficult to get from the ramp to the lake since the cove is somewhat shallow this isn't a very large ramp, so not a lot of parking spaces. Go upstream between MM61 and MM65 and above OR downstream towards MM50.
Wigwam School Access (MM66.2): go downstream towards MM62 and below OR upstream towards MM72 — Big Buffalo Creek.
Warsaw (Drake) Harbor Access: you must go below the Highway 65 Bridge before you start snagging. Go downstream and start snagging below the Highway 65 Bridge (about MM89.5) and down.
Bledsoe Ferry Access: you must go below the Highway 65 Bridge before you can start snagging. Go downstream and start snagging below the Highway 65 Bridge (about MM89.5) and down.
Larry Gale Access — Niangua Arm: go downstream to where the Little Niangua joins the big Niangua or upstream toward Highway 54.

There are numerous private ramps that you can pay to launch from.

Osage River

On the Osage River below Bagnell Dam, the minimum length limit remains 24 inches (eye to fork of tail). Also, snagging is not permitted from the no-snagging zone from Bagnell Dam to U.S. Highway 54 Bridge. Tickets are being issued for this violation.

On the Upper Osage River below Bagnell Dam, a snag fishery exists for a few miles below the Highway 54 Bridge to RM78.
Water temperatures are increasing and they’ve increased the flows at Bagnell Dam. We’ve seen very few snaggers and aren’t hearing of any fish being harvested in this area.
On the Lower Osage River below Bagnell Dam, snagging is primarily done from a couple of miles above Pikes Camp all the way down to the Missouri River; the lower 25 miles. We also see snaggers out in the Missouri River.
Water temperatures are increasing and we are seeing an increase in flow due to the releases at Bagnell Dam. Snagging remains slow. Snaggers are harvesting a few small fish. Snaggers are also harvesting a few fish in the Missouri River and some of the other tributaries to the Missouri.

Public ramps to launch — from down to upstream

Bagnell Dam Access: you must go below the Highway 54 Bridge before you can start snagging.
Bonnots Mill Access: go up or downstream. Occasionally we see snaggers out in the Missouri River.
Mari-Osa Access: go downstream below the Highway 63 bridge towards Bonnots Mill and below, OR upstream towards the lock and dam.
Pikes Camp Access: go upstream a couple of miles, OR downstream towards the lock and dam.

Advisories
Check the Wildlife Code of Missouri (see link below) for paddlefish regulations

Please remember — on Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries, the Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and on Truman Lake and its tributaries — no person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of two (2) paddlefish. Tickets have been issued for this violation.
Once you’ve taken your second fish, you are done snagging for the day.
Unless, exempt, anglers must possess a valid fishing permit if you are snagging or driving the boat used for snagging.
Extracted paddlefish eggs may not be possessed while on the water or adjacent banks and may not be transported. Paddlefish eggs may not be bought, sold, or offered for sale.
Do not clean paddlefish while you are on the water. The head, tail, and skin must remain attached to all fish that have length limits while those fish are on the water.

Dial 1-800-392-1111 anytime to report illegal activity

In 2013, Conservation Agents broke up an international paddlefish-trafficking operation in Warsaw. This group of poachers stole a lot of fish from legal snaggers. We aren’t sure what effect that this illegal activity has had on Missouri's paddlefish population. If you see or suspect illegal snagging activity, please report it immediately. Your identity will remain anonymous, and a reward is possible depending on successful prosecution of the case. Visit our Operation Game Thief page below for more details.

Keep snagging strong — release sublegal fish unharmed immediately

MDC maintains the paddlefish populations in Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, and Table Rock Lake with annual stockings of fingerlings from MDC’s Blind Pony Hatchery. It takes paddlefish seven to eight years to grow to legal size. In 2008, we had our largest stocking of paddlefish ever — more than 164,000 fish. These fish are now seven years old, and should average about 34 inches (measured eye to fork of tail). These fish should start contributing to the harvest. Snaggers may continue to catch a lot of sublegal fish this year. It is important to release these fish unharmed immediately and gently because they are the fish that you will be harvesting over the next several years!

The Code states that sublegal paddlefish must be returned unharmed immediately after being caught!

Take care when removing hooks, and get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible.
Be sure that your hands are wet before handling, and avoid excessive handling.
Do not pass fish around for photos.
Hold fish firmly to avoid dropping them, and never put your fingers in the gills or eyes.

Avoid penalties! Use nets instead of gaffs to land fish

Using a gaff to land paddlefish can injure or kill sublegal paddlefish, making you subject to a penalty. Use a large net to land all paddlefish safely.

Wanted: Bighead and Silver Carp

MDC biologists are looking at bighead and silver carp (invasive species) to see if they have any impact on our native fish species.

Biologists would like to collect all bighead and silver carp caught by anglers on Lake of the Ozarks, Truman, and Table Rock lakes. We will look at captured fish to see if there is any dietary overlap with our native paddlefish, determine if they are mature and able to reproduce, and look at various ages and sizes of fish. If you would like to help out, please save and freeze any bighead and silver carp that you catch. Contact Quinton Phelps at 605-695-0593 (cell) or Trish Yasger at 660-530-5500 (work) to arrange a pick-up of the fish you’ve collected.

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