MDC

Paddlefish Snagging Report

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Paddlefish

Paddlefish, also known as spoonbill, have long, paddle-shaped rostrums that are about one-third the length of their bodies.

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27 April 11 – Last 2011 Report

Below is a paddlefish snagging report for Truman Lake, Lake Ozark and the Osage River (below Bagnell Dam). This is the last Snagging Report for 2011. The last day of the paddlefish snagging season is Saturday 30 April 2011.

Water temperatures are about what they were this past week, close to 60F at the surface. We did get rain last week. Lake levels are up, flow had increased, and water is up considerably on upper Truman. At the moment they are releasing water at both Truman and Bagnell dams. However, they are calling to stop releasing water tomorrow (Thurs. 28th) at Truman Dam. In the past, when they’ve stopped releasing water at Truman Dam, there will be hardly any flow in Lake Ozark and the fish tend to move back down in the lake. If this happens snagging may not be as good and you may want to consider moving down with the fish. If they stop releasing water at Truman Dam, there will still be flow coming into Truman.

Snagging had really improved this past week. The increases in flows have caused the fish to run. The fish have moved up in the lakes and they are harvesting fish. Snaggers are continuing to harvesting both males and females; most of the fish we are seeing are 40-80 pounds with a few larger ones. We are seeing several limits of fish come out. Snaggers are continuing to catching a lot of small (1-3 year old) sublegal paddlefish. Please get these fish back into the water as quickly as possible. These fish need to be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.

Remember, that snagging is very dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. Flow is what triggers the fish to make the spawning run. With that said, we have good surface water temperatures around 60 F, recent rains have increased flow. However, if they do stop releasing water at Truman Dam, there will be very little if any flow on Lake Ozark – the fish will most likely move back down in the lake and snagging may no longer be good on Lake Ozark.

A few things to remember

Check the code book for paddlefish regulations

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. Tickets have been issued for this. Once you’ve taken your second fish, you are done snagging for the day. You need to possess a valid fishing permit if you are snagging or driving the boat being snagged from.

Return sublegal (1-3 years old) fish unharmed to the water immediately!

Sublegal fish need to be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. Please take care when removing hooks from these fish and get them back into the water as quickly as possible. Please avoid handling the fish excessively and be sure your hands are wet before handling it. Hold the fish firmly to prevent it from being dropped. Never put your fingers in the gills or eyes. It is important to release these fish unharmed immediately and gently as these are the fish that you will be harvesting in 6-8 years!

Gaffs kill fish. Use a net to land your fish!

The use of gaffs is not the preferred method to land paddlefish. Landing paddlefish using large nets is the preferred methods as any sublegal or unwanted fish can then be returned to the water immediately unharmed. Also keep in mind, the regulations states that sublegal fish must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. Remember that every fish that dies before reaching legal size is one less fish for you to catch in the future!

If you have any questions call (660) 530-5500 or e-mail me at: Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

Good luck snagging.

Trish

Truman Lake

• Snaggers need to be reminded of the 34-inch length limit (eye to fork-of-tail) AND after they have snagged their second paddlefish they are done snagging for the day on Truman Lake and its tributaries. Remember that people driving the boat need to be legally licensed anglers. And sublegal fish must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.
• The Truman Lake/Osage Arm is up about 2 feet from last week at the Dam. However, water in the upper Osage is up a lot and approaching flood stage. There is a lot flow coming down the Marais des Cygnes, Marmaton and Osage rivers into Truman. Water levels went way up and are starting to slowly come down. If they stop releasing water at Truman Dam, the lake level will start coming up a lot more quickly and there will continue to be flow coming into Truman. Flow is up a lot as compared to last week; and the fish have moved up in the lake. There is a lot more flow and debris in the River so snaggers need to be careful and watch for the logs and debris – Please be careful.
• Water temperatures are about what they were this past week, about 60F at the surface. Snaggers are continuing to harvesting both males and females; most of the fish we are seeing are 40-80 pounds. We are seeing a few limits come out.
• We are seeing most of the fish above Roscoe all the way up past Taberville to the “cut”.
• The Bates County Ditch/Marais des Cygnes River is up a lot and is slowly starting to come down, with the River up this high it may be difficult to snag in this area.
• Your best bet is from Clear Creek (4-5 miles below Taberville) up to the “cut” (above Taberville where the Marmaton and Marais des Cygnes meet to form the Osage).

Ramps to launch - from down to upstream

• Talley Bend Access - go upstream towards Horseshoe Bend and up to Walker Hole/Weaubleau Creek and above to Brush Creek Access and the Osceola area.
• Brush Creek Access - go downstream towards Horseshoe Bend OR go upstream towards Osceola and above.
• Crowe's Crossing - go downstream towards Brush Creek Access and down to Horseshoe Bend OR upstream towards Roscoe and/or go up the Sac River a couple of miles.
• City of Osceola ‑ go upstream from the ramp towards Roscoe and/or go up the Sac River a couple of miles OR go downstream towards Brush Creek Access and down to Weaubleau Creek and Horseshoe Bend.
• Sac River Access/Hwy. 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 toward the Monegaw Springs area and even further above to Taberville.
• Taberville ‑ go downstream from the ramp towards the Clear Creek area on down to Monegaw Springs area and even further down to Roscoe Access and below OR go upstream towards the "cut" and above.

NOTE: when the lake level is normal pool (706' msl) some people find it difficult to get out of the coves at the City of Osceola and Crowe's Crossing ramps; especially the snaggers w/ the deeper V-bottom boats - be sure to always use caution.

Lake Ozark

• Snaggers need to be reminded of the 34-inch length limit (eye to fork-of-tail) AND after they have snagged their second paddlefish they are done snagging for the day on Lake Ozark and its tributaries. There is no snagging between Truman Dam and the Hwy. 65 Bridge – be sure to go downstream of Hwy. 65 before you begin snagging. Remember that people driving the boat need to be legally licensed anglers. And sublegal fish must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.
• The Lake is up about 1 foot from last week; they have been releasing water from both Truman and Bagnell Dams, so there has been flow. However, they are calling to stop releasing water tomorrow (Thurs. 28th) at Truman Dam. In the past, when they’ve stopped releasing water at Truman Dam, there will be hardly any flow in Lake Ozark and the fish tend to move back down in the lake. If this happens snagging may no longer be as good and you may want to consider moving down with the fish. The water temperature is around 59F at the surface.
• Water temperatures are about what they were this past week, just below 60F at the surface. Snaggers are continuing to harvesting both males and females; most of the fish we are seeing are 40-80 pounds with a few larger fish. We are seeing several limits of fish come out!
• Fish have moved up in the lake and snagging is good in the Warsaw area. As long as they continue releasing water at Truman Dam, we should have good flows and snagging should continue to stay good.
• Your best bet with flows is in the upper lake from MM80 up to Hwy. 65 Bridge.

Ramps to launch - Public - 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 up stream towards Wigwam Access or OR downstream towards MM50.
• Wigwam School Access (MM66.2) – go downstream towards Browns Bend OR upstream towards the Hwy. 65 Bridge (about MM89.5).
• Warsaw Harbor Access ‑ snaggers should be reminded that they have to go below the Hwy. 65 bridge before they start snagging. Go downstream and start snagging below the Hwy. 65 bridge (about MM89.5) and down.
• Bledsoe Ferry Access *NOTE – The COE web site said that Bledsoe Ferry Ramp has re-opened following repair work and is fully operational. Snaggers should be reminded that they have to go below the Hwy. 65 Bridge before they start snagging. Go downstream and start snagging below the Hwy. 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 Hwy. 54.
• There are numerous private ramps that you can pay to launch from.

Osage River (below Bagnell Dam)

• Snaggers need to be reminded of the no snagging zone from Bagnell Dam to U.S. Hwy. 54 Bridge. The minimum length limit remains 24-inch (eye to fork-of-tail) AND after they have snagged their second paddlefish they are done snagging for the day. Remember that people driving the boat need to be legally licensed anglers. And sublegal fish must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.
• On the Upper Osage River below Bagnell Dam the snaggers were between Hwy 54 to RM78.
• The Upper Osage River is up as compared to last week; there is some flow as they are releasing water from Bagnell Dam. The water temperature is in the upper 50sF at the surface.
• Snagging continues to be slow; we aren’t seeing many snaggers or fish.

Ramps to launch

• Bagnell Dam Access ‑ snaggers need to be reminded that they have to go below the Hwy. 54 bridge before they start snagging.
• 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 22 miles. In the past I’ve seen a couple of snaggers out in the Missouri River, however, I’m not sure if they’ve had any luck or not.
• The Lower Osage River is up as compared to last week; there is flow as they are releasing some water from Bagnell Dam. The Missouri River is also rising and at flood stage at Herman, as a result water is backing up the Lower Osage. The water temperature is in the mid-upper 50sF at the surface.
• Snagging continues to be slow; we aren’t seeing many snaggers or fish.

Ramps to launch - from down to upstream

• Bonnots Mill Access ‑ go up or down‑stream. In the past we’ve seen a few snaggers out in the Missouri River.
• Mari‑Osa Access ‑ go downstream below the Hwy. 63 bridge, towards Bonnot's Mill OR just above towards the lock and dam.
• Pikes Camp Access ‑ go upstream a couple of miles OR downstream towards the lock and dam above the Mari-Osa Access.

Attention Snaggers: Wanted Jaw Tag Returns

Many paddlefish from MO and other states have been tagged with metal jaw bands/tags on their lower jaw. These fish are being tagged to monitor their movement throughout the River basin. These metal jaw bands are located toward the back of the lower jaw; these tags will have a number and contact information on them. There is no reward for returning these tags; however the information that we will learn about paddlefish movement is very valuable in helping us to manage this important species.

In Missouri we have jaw tagged paddlefish on the Lower Osage (below Bagnell Dam), Lake Ozark and Truman Lake. If you harvest a paddlefish with a jaw tag, please contact me with the following information: Jaw tag number, body of water and general location fish was harvested and the length and sex of the fish. I should be able to provide you with information on when and where your fish was tagged.

For fish caught on the Lower Osage (below Bagnell Dam) it is possible that your fish was tagged in another state. If this is the case I will assist you in passing this information along to them.

Thanks.

Trish Yasger

(660) 530-5500 ext. 224

Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov