Paddlefish snagging report for April 3

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

Water temperatures are about the same as last week.  Snaggers have been having success on Truman Lake and lower Lake of the Ozarks. With the increase in flow on Truman the fish are moving up the Osage and some have gone up into the Marais des Cygnes River. With the rains this past weekend there is flow on Truman Lake; water levels on upper Truman went back up. They’ve started releasing water from Truman Dam, so we will start seeing more flow on Lake of the Ozarks. They have also increased releases from Bagnell Dam. The Truman Lake fish are moving upstream. While the Lake of the Ozark fish are still scattered out, with most of the harvest in the lower lake. Most of the fish that they are harvesting are 36-40 inches and in good condition. We’re seeing more of large females harvested on Truman, including a 106-pound fish. We’re seeing the occasional fish harvested on the Osage River below Bagnell Dam. As the flooding on the Missouri River comes down, they will begin releasing more water at both Truman and Bagnell Dams and flow will increase. They are calling for rain this week, no telling how this will affect flows and dam releases.

With the high water we’ve been experiencing there are a lot of logs and debris in the water. Also, please do not drive through standing water, we’ve had a couple of stranded vehicles with people trying to cross flood water. With high water and flooding please use caution and stay safe.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding “catch and release” snagging. Unlike other species of fish in Missouri, the catch and release of legal paddlefish, any fish of legal length, is not permitted. In other words, once a legal paddlefish is caught, that fish is to be retained or kept by the angler and included in their daily limit, they cannot be released. However, all sublegal (fish less than the legal length limit) paddlefish must be released unharmed immediately. Once two legal paddlefish are caught they are to be retained by the angler and included in their daily limit. Please remember that on Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and 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. Be sure to check the Wildlife Code of Missouri for paddlefish regulations.

Thanks to all the snaggers who have reported tagged paddlefish. Please continue to report all tagged fish. Yes, you can keep the silver jaw tags, we will need a picture of the tag or if you send it in, you’ll need to flatten it and we will send it back to you. Please do not remove tags from sublegal fish. Reporting tagged fish will help us monitor and better manage paddlefish, together we can keep paddlefish snagging great for many years to come.

Violations cited this past week include snagging in no snagging zone, driving in a restricted area and fishing without a permit.

We are continuing to see more bank snaggers. When operating a boat near bank snaggers please be conscientious of them. Please slow down and give them space; running into their line risks pulling them into the water. Everyone needs to stay safe. When snagging on private property be sure to obtain permission from the landowner.

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. Please report all tagged paddlefish that you catch. 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 very 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, 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 tend to remain lower in the reservoirs or rivers. On the other hand, if we have a very 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. During flooding events paddlefish will move out of the heavy flows to wait for flows to come down. When lakes and rivers are rising due to heavy rain, logs and other debris can float downstream, and boaters need to be careful.

With the snow and cold weather this past weekend water temperatures dropped a little. With the nice spring days, we’re having water temperatures should start increasing. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s on upper Truman Lake and upper 40’s on Lake of the Ozarks. The Truman Lake water level is continuing to come up since they have not been releasing water at Truman Dam. Lake of the Ozarks is also up, with minimal releases at Bagnell Dam. The very Lower Osage River is up with flood waters on the Missouri River backed up into the Lower Osage. They have started releasing water at Truman Dam and have increased releases at Bagnell Dam. They are calling for these releases to continue from Truman Dam. As water levels fall on the Missouri River I look for increased releases at both Truman and Bagnell dams., The extended forecast is calling for additional rain through the weekend. Dam release may change depending on how much rain we get

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 Lake is up a few feet from last week, it is several feet above normal pool. There is flow due to the rain and high water from the upper basin that is coming down. Water levels at Taberville are back up and out of the bank, the access is underwater. They have begun releasing water from Truman Dam and when flooding on the Missouri River comes down they should increase releases. The water temperature is in the lower 50’s.

• Snagging has been good from the Osceola area to Taberville and above. The fish have move up upstream with some going all the way into the Marais des Cygnes River. Snaggers are harvesting primarily 36-40 inches fish and we’re beginning to see more of the larger females harvested – including a 106-pound fish! We’re seeing a few snaggers with limits. Snaggers are catching some sublegal fish (20-34 inch fish), please be sure to release these fish unharmed immediately.

• Best guess. With the increase in flow we’re seeing the fish move upstream. Try the deep holes from the Osceola area to Taberville and above.  With the high water there is a lot of logs and debris in the water, please use caution don’t drive through flood waters – stay safe.

Public ramps to launch — from down to upstream

• Talley Bend Access: go upstream towards Horseshoe Bend and up towards the Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek and above towards Osceola OR downstream towards Fox Run.

• Brush Creek Access: go downstream towards Walker Hole/ Weaubleau Creek and below OR upstream towards Osceola and above.

• Caution: When the lake level is at normal pool (706’ msl) and below, 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. Be sure to always use caution.

• Crowes Crossing: go 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. This has become a popular bank snagging area, please be courteous of the bank snaggers.

• 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 Access: 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.

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 a foot or so since last week.  They have begun releasing water from Truman Dam and have increased releases at Bagnell Dam. As flooding comes down on the Missouri River I would expect to see increases in  releases from both Truman and Bagnell dams. The water temperature is in the mid to upper 40’s at the surface.

• Snagging has been good on the lower Osage Arm and the Niangua Arm. Snaggers are harvesting primarily small males and females (36-40 inches fish). We’re seeing a few snaggers with limits and a few larger females. The fish are still scattered out from MM50 up to the Highway 65 bridge (about MM 89.5); we are seeing more fish harvested below MM70. Snagging has been better lower in the lake MM50-MM70.

• Best guess. When the fish are scattered out, snagging tends to be better lower in the lake – which is what we are seeing. Try the deep holes from MM50 up to the Highway 65 Bridge. Snaggers typically have better luck lower in the lake try the deep holes below Wigwam School Access (MM66.2). As the flows increase the fish should start shifting upstream, you may want to consider moving up higher in the lake, towards Highway 65.

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 and 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.

• On the Upper Osage River below Bagnell Dam, a snag fishery exists for a few miles below the Highway 54 Bridge to RM78 (just past the golf course). The water level is up a bit,, and they have begun to increase flows from Bagnell Dam. Snaggers are harvesting the occasional fish, primarily 26-30 inch fish and up to 35+ pounds.

• 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. Occasionally we also see snaggers out in the Missouri River. With the flooding on the Missouri River we haven’t seen any snaggers in this area or heard of any fish being harvested.

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 above) 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.

• Once two legal paddlefish are caught they are to be retained by the angler and included in their daily limit.

• 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 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 2016 more than 314,000 foot-long fingerlings were stocked – MDC’s largest stocking of paddlefish. These fish will be large enough to harvest beginning in 2023. In 2018 more than 78,000 fingerlings were stocked, this is twice the normal stocking. As these fish grow snaggers will catch a lot more sublegal fish. It is extremely important to release all sublegal 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.