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MISSOURI FISHING REPORTS

Posted: 01/04/2005

Even if the Bait Shops are closed we are still updating the lake levels.

MISSOURI LAKES

 

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
Pomme de Terre Sever Smithville Stockton Table Rock
Taneycomo Thomas Hill Truman Wappapello  
    This page was last updated 01/14/14
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BLIND PONY  

Lake Map

Report by: The Bait Stop 

CLOSED DUE TO RENOVATIONS

Will re-open in 2008

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BLUE SPRINGS

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 802.0 Temperature: 

Inflow: 33 cfs Outflow: 39 cfs. Level: 0.69 feet high

Lake Map

40 Woods Bait & Tackle now has The 2005 Entertainment® Book. Why wait? Get the crown jewel - the 2005 Entertainment® book today, and you can start using the famous money-saving coupons immediately. Save up to 50% virtually everywhere including: Movie Theaters - Restaurants - Sporting Events - Grocery Stores - Clothing Stores - And much, much more!

Report by 40 Woods Bait & Tackle     Missouri Wildlife Check In Station    Braggin' Board

Catfish fair-hot dogs

Bluegill good-wax worms

Crappie good-small jigs

Bass fair-crankbaits

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BULL SHOALS

Updated 12/29/04

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 656.0  Temperature: 40's

Outflow: 17280 cfs Level: 1.23 feet low

Lake Map

 Report by: Wilderness Trail       "Braggin Board"

WALLEYE SEMINAR

MARCH 5th and 6th

DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER JANUARY 1ST

If you are interested in this seminar call 870-445-2703 to receive a registration form

Weather patterns can be crazy this time of year, one day the sun shines and it’s 60 degrees, the next day the wind is blowing 30 mph and the temperatures are in the 40’s. Last week was just that kind of week with a little rain thrown in for good measure. Here’s a surprise! The lake level is at 656.28 which is two feet above normal pool. I can’t remember the last time the lake has been this high in December. Lake clarity remains around 16 feet and water temperature is in the low 50’s, perfect conditions for the fall bite which was a little spotty this last week. Crappie backed out away from the brush piles and are now suspended in 30-35 feet of water. There is a feeding bite in the afternoon other than that it’s been tough. Crappie minnows with a bare hook and swimming minnows are the best baits.

Lake Rating: Bass are moving in with the wind otherwise the bite is slow, crappie are suspended and only feeding a few hours a day, walleye are scattered and hard to pattern, so this week we will call it "fair".

Largemouth bass are on the banks on windy days holding on blow downs and large boulders. Crankbaits (Wiggle Warts or Bandits) and spinner baits will trigger some good largemouth's. When conditions don’t have the bass pushed up onto the banks fish secondary points with Spider Jigs or Mojo rigged Brush Hogs. 

Smallmouth bass remain in deep water on the drop-off side of points. They’re moving up onto the points to feed then returning to the deep water drop-offs. Fish the deeper side of the points first with football jigs or Mojo rigged centipedes. If you don’t get bit throw a Spider Jig or tube bait up onto the points. 

Kentucky bass are with the shad and on the chunk rock banks foraging for crawdads. Spoons and drop shots are the key lures for some success with the suspended Kentuckys that are swimming with the shad. Check the end of bluff walls and the middle of main lake cuts for the balls of shad. Fish chunk rock banks with tube baits and Spider Jigs in crawdad colors for the Kentuckys that are up shallow.

Walleye have not been very cooperative this last week. They have moved off the points and are suspended 40-48 feet down over 50-55 feet of water. We think they’re moving back onto the points to feed at night but the weather has been a little nasty to check it out. A few walleye have been caught in 35-40 feet of water but they’re gone by 8:00 am or so. We will se if any changes take place this upcoming week.

PWT Tour Offers Walleye Anglers a Challenging 2005 Brainerd, Minnesota…The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail announced a challenging 2005 season for the world’s top-ranked walleye anglers. The PWT is a Pro-Am format. Pro anglers are fishing ambassadors who share their boats, tackle and tactics with amateur/co-anglers and those who’ve always wanted to fish a special lake can do it as amateurs/co-anglers. Call PWT headquarters at 218-824-2542, for entry blanks, or go to www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. Entry forms are also available at Wilderness Trail and Bull Shoals Boat Dock.

Trout fishing on the White River has been great this week as some of the trout are already spawning. Power Bait eggs in fluorescent yellow, pink and red have been great. Corn and salmon eggs are also working well. On high current, Buoyant Spoons, Colorado Spoons and Rapala Countdowns have been hot. The fly fishermen have switched over to egg patters flies and are having great success. Browns are being triggered on bigger baits. Suspended Rogues, Shad Raps, Flat Fish and Lucky Craft Pointer 78s have produced many nice browns in the 4-8 pound range this week.

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. For more information call Rick or Sue Culver at Wilderness Trail at 870-445-2703, e-mail us at wtrail@bullshoals.net

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CLEARWATER

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Map

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 500.0 Temperature: 

Release Rate: 982 Level: 6.33 feet low

Largemouth Bass slow

White Bass slow

Crappie slow using minnows

Smallmouth Bass slow

Spotted Bass No Report

Catfish slow using liver and worms

Bluegill slow

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CONCORDIA CITY LAKE

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Level: 

Lake Map

Report by: The Bait Stop  CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Crappie- No Report

Catfish -No Report

Bass No Report

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COUNCIL BLUFF

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Map

Temperature: Level: normal

Sunfish slow

Largemouth Bass fair using soft plastic and worms during the day

Crappie slow

Bluegill slow using crickets and worms

Catfish fair using liver in the late evening

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S. GRAND RIVER

(Below Urich)

 

Flatheads No Report

Channel Cats No Report

Blue Cats No Report

Crappie No Report

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JACOMO

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Map

Temperature:  Clarity:   Level: 0.00 feet low

40 Woods Bait & Tackle now has The 2005 Entertainment® Book. Why wait? Get the crown jewel - the 2005 Entertainment® book today, and you can start using the famous money-saving coupons immediately. Save up to 50% virtually everywhere including: Movie Theaters - Restaurants - Sporting Events - Grocery Stores - Clothing Stores - And much, much more!

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 fair-shrimp

Bluegill good-wax worms

Crappie good-small jigs

Bass fair-crankbaits

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James A. Reed

Updated 01/04/05

Temp: 

Lake Maps

Channel Catfish good

Largemouth Bass good

Bluegill good

Crappie slow

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LAKE of the Ozarks

Updated 12/29/04

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 660.0 Temperature: 44

Inflow: 23000 cfs Outflow: 20500 cfs. Level: 1.02 feet low

Lake Map

Report by Missouri Angler    Missouri Angler Buddy Bass Derby        Results

According to AmerenUE the current lake level is 658.68 with light generation scheduled for the next three days, which according to AmerenUE should give the lake a level 659.2 by Friday, December 31st. AmerenUE reports the water temperature at 44 degrees. The lake is slowly clearing, but the visibility remains dingy with visibility averaging 1 to 2 feet in some coves off the Osage River. The Grand Glaize, Gravois and the Big and Little Niangua Rivers are dingy near the Osage River, but begin clearing towards the upper ends with visibility averaging 3 to 4 feet. Bass boat temperature gauges indicate surface water temperatures ranging from 39 to 42 degrees in the tributaries and 41 to 44 degrees in the Osage River. The warmer water is near the lower end near Bagnell Dam. There was some ice in the upper end of the tributaries earlier this week, but with the recent warm weather the ice has melted.

LARGEMOUTH BASS - FAIR The Melton and Eakins jig, tube bait and grubs have been the better bite. Brown, green pumpkin and black/blue have been the most consistent colors fished on channel banks with chunk rock and secondary points in creeks and the larger coves in 12 to 15 feet of water. Some bass are being caught on the inside of main lake bluff ends on the jigs and by working a medium diving crank baits (crawdad and shad colors) like the Wiggle Wart, Bomber A and Bandit with a slow retrieve, parallel to the bank. This bite seems to best in the afternoon after the sun has warmed the water near the banks. The suspended jerk bait (clown, chartreuse shad, grey ghost and aurora black) is producing in the clearer water in the larger coves and tributaries around boat docks and on channel banks with chunk rock, but isn't at it's peak yet. This bite should pick up though once the water starts clearing and it should within a couple of weeks since the level of Truman Lake is 708, just 2 feet above pool, discharge should begin slowing down and eventually stop.

CRAPPIE - GOOD Since the lake has dropped a foot this week the larger crappie have moved out to deeper water suspended near or over brush in 12 to 20 feet of water. The crappie can be located around docks on the steeper banks in the creeks and in bluff pockets. Minnows, tube baits and Road Runners (white, chartreuse/white, white/red and white/blue) have been the best colors. When the bite slows or stops, try tipping the baits with Crappie Nibbles.

 

Catfish Reports by: Anthony Ford: Catfish & Spoonbill Guide

CATFISH - fishing is poor, extreme cold weather and lots of water. Bait is easy to find in deep coves out of current.

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LONGBRANCH

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 791.0 Temperature: 

Inflow: 50 cfs Outflow: 225 cfs Level: 0.53 feet low

Lake Map

Channel Catfish fair using chicken liver 

Flathead fair 

Walleye fair 

Crappie good 

Largemouth Bass fair using rattle lures

Bluegill fair using nightcrawlers

White Bass fair 

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LONGVIEW

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 891.0 Temperature:

Inflow: 7 cfs Outflow: 21 cfs Level: 0.35 feet high

Lake Map

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

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MARK TWAIN

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 606.0 Temperature: 

Release Rate: 300 Level: 3.49 feet high 

Lake Map

Report by: South Fork Resort

Date: 12/17/04
Lake Level : 608.80
Last Weeks Lake Level: 611.86
Normal Lake Level : 606

Water Condition: Muddy to Dingy
Surface Water Temp: Cold......

This season has pretty much wound down. There are not many fishermen or fisherwomen out these days, it's been mostly duck and deer hunters, so there's not much to report on. There have been a few deer taken during this last deer hunt (antlerless) and yesterday was a good day for duck hunters.

It's been cold enough for ice to start forming on the lake, mostly in the back coves facing north. A small amount of ice is forming out on the main lake during the night, but it is usually gone later in the day. It's getting to the time of year when ice may start drifting and boaters should exercise caution while underway. If you have to get out on the lake, go prepared with snacks and emergency supplies and something to keep warm with, such as a sleeping bag. Know the area you're going to be boating in, just in case you need to hike out. Take a cell phone and file a "flight plan" with a buddy.

The Corp of Engineers has pulled all the walkways from their ramps. The State Park ramps still have one walkway in place, however that will change as soon as we start getting some serious ice.

Duck season is open, fishermen please be respectful if you see decoys and blinds set up, by giving them a wide berth. The waterfowl refuge (Middle Fork and Elk Fork area) is closed to boaters and waterfowl hunters from October 30 until December 31. Buoys are setup to indicate the closed off area. Land based activities are still permitted, such as bank fishing, hiking and other in-season hunting.

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MAPLE LEAF LAKE 

Updated 01/04/05

Temperature: 

Lake Map

No Report

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MISSOURI RIVER  (Homers Landing)    

Updated 01/04/05

Temperature: 

 Braggin Board

No Report

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MONTROSE

Updated 01/04/05

Temperature: 

Lake Map

Channel Catfish fair using live baits

Flathead fair

Largemouth Bass good on black/blue jigs and brush hogs

Stripers slow

Crappie fair

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MOZINGO

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool:  Temperature:  

Level: 

Lake Map

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

This is Big Bird. Merry Christmas, may God bless you guys with good health

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
Tell the people God bless and merry Christmas

You guys do a real good job on the web site

THANKS
BIG BIRD
RIDE HARD RIDE FREE


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POMME de TERRE

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 839.0 Temperature:

Inflow: 400 cfs Outflow: 2000 cfs Level: 5.41 feet high

Lake Map


Black Bass
No Report 

White Bass No Report 

Crappie No Report 

Catfish No Report 

Muskie No Report 

Walleye No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

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PONY EXPRESS

Updated 01/04/05

Temperature: Clarity:  Level: high and dingy

Lake Map

Largemouth Bass No Report 

Channel Cat  No Report 

Blue cat No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

Crappie No Report 

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SEVER

Updated 01/04/05

Water Temp: 

Lake Map

Crappie No Report 

Blue Catfish No Report 

Channel Catfish  No Report 

Largemouth Bass  No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

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SMITHVILLE

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 864.2  Temperature: 

Inflow: 20 cfs Outflow: 100 cfs Level: 0.80 feet high

Lake Map

Report by Burton's Bait and Tackle

Trimble Wildlife area is closed to all boats. You can still use the W-boat ramp but can not go past the orange balls just North of the W bridge. If you put in at the Free ramp you can come South to the orange balls but not beyond.

CRAPPIE: Good: Lots of crappie are being caught in 20 feet of water along creek edges and in brush piles. All of the marinas produce fish during the winter months. Most of the fish being caught are nice keepers. Minnows are still good and the jig bite is getting better. The docks at Campbranch are open to the public and fish are being caught. $2 per day to fish.

BASS: No Report: Not many people are fishing for the bass right now.

CATFISH: No Report

White Bass: Fair: Some are being caught around the docks by the crappie fisherman.

WALLEYE: No Report

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STOCKTON

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 867.7 Temperature: 

Inflow: 1500 cfs Outflow: 2889 cfs Level: 6.04 feet high

Lake Map

Report By: Square Deal Bait Shop - CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Black Bass No Report

White Bass No Report

Walleye No Report

Crappie No Report

Catfish No Report

Dee Dee

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TABLE ROCK

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 915.0 Temperature: 

Release Rate: 9011 cfs. Level: 1.02 feet high

Report by: Pete's Professional Guide Service

No Report

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TANEYCOMO

Updated 01/04/05

Temperature:  Level:

Report by River Run Outfitters

FROM ALL OF US AT RIVER RUN OUTFITTERS, WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND BEST FOR 2005....ESPECIALLY MORE DAYS ON THE WATER!

GENERAL COMMENTS

Just a reminder, we moved. Our new address is 2626 State Hwy. 165, just north of the Hatchery.

Water Conditions: They turned the water off yesterday morning and it is still off!!!

FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-
Of course, since the water was off yesterday and we are now so close to the good fishing area, Stan headed for the water to see what they were hitting on. His findings, olive zebra midge, size 18 and the size 18 dark olive soft hackle. The fish were so happy the water was off, they were popping up everywhere taking midge emerges. He is on the water today with clients and at 10:00 a.m. or so, they had already boated 20 plus fish on the dark olive soft hackle. They are fishing it with a #6 shot about 12 inches or more up from the fly and presenting it with the accelerated downstream presentation. Cast cross current, let a loop form in your line. Strip occasionally, but the fish are picking it up on the drift. You'll generally see your fly line, where it touches the water, move before you feel the strike. One of our customers came in yesterday morning and he had caught and released two Browns around 22 inches that he had caught on scuds across from the Rocking Chair area.

STAN'S TIP: With all the fishers out trying to catch that big one, the fish have been getting a lot of pressure. We have seen lots of dead fish in the water. Remember to try and not play your fish until they are exhausted. If you do, take time to revive them. Use care when handling the fish. Even though it is not required, consider barbless hooks. This certainly makes it easier and faster to release the fish and get them back into the water.

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THOMAS HILL

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 722.00 Clarity:  Level:

Temperature:

  Lake Map

Crappie slow using minnows in the deep brush piles

Bass slow using lures

Channel cat good using worms and minnows

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TRUMAN

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 706.0 Temperature:  

Inflow: 10500 cfs Outflow: 23358 cfs Level: 6.92 feet high

Lake Map     Braggin' Board

MAIN LAKE Report by Sterett Creek Marina  CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

We will be closing the marina for the season on Nov.7th. We will keep the campground open till after deer season. 

Tommy

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Tebo Arm

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Temp: 

Report by:  Lam's Bait and Tackle  CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Crappie No Report

Catfish No Report

Bass No Report

White Bass No Report

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Grand River Arm

Updated 01/04/05

Lake temp: 

Report for Grand River Arm by Bucksaw Marina 

Hunting Report

With the lake rising and putting the water up in the grass, the duck hunting has been pretty good from the reports I have been getting. The Mallards are showing up in pretty good numbers with the cold fronts coming thru and good numbers of Canada geese are around the lake. This will only get better as the weather gets colder. The Duck lakes in the area are reporting good numbers. If we get a good early freeze up on the puddles the lake hunting should be outstanding. 

BUCKSAW LODGE is open all year with off season rates so if you want a good place to stay while you are in the area hunting just call Shelia at the lodge 660-477-3900 and she will be glad to get your room ready.

Fishing report:

Bass are still feeding up and hitting crank baits on steeper creek banks. The crank bait that has been the best is the BANDIT MISTAKE and a BOMBER 6A in blue back and chartreuse side. We are still catching Bass on white spinner baits in the grass in the backs of the creeks.

Crappie: Not much to report other than a few deep fish in the Dam area and in the little Tebo area. These fish are in 20 to 30 feet of water on deep brush piles on jigs.

Catfish: No reports

Whites and Hybrids: Pulling water, You should be able to catch these fish at the weir in front of the dam and on the main lake points in the lower lake areas on spoons and sassy shad type baits.

If you have any boat problems we will be open all year at BUCKSAW MOTOR SPORTS & MARINE to help you get back on the water. Just call us at 660-477-0192 Tuesday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm and on Saturdays 8:00am to 4:00pm. Come up and see us at the K.C. SPORT SHOW January 4th thru the 9th. Thanks, Brad Coats

* New Missouri regulations require that jug lines be attended at all times.

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WAPPAPELLO

Updated 01/04/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 359.0 Temperature: 

Release Rate: 590 Level: 3.99 feet high

Lake Map

Largemouth Bass No Report

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.

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