Paddlefish: Snagging Report and Advisories

Report for March 10, 2023

Report for Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, and the Osage River (below Bagnell Dam) and Table Rock Lake.

General Conditions

The 2023 paddlefish snagging season opens Wednesday, March 15, and runs through Sunday, April 30. Weekly snagging reports will begin after Thursday, March 23 and will then be posted on Wednesday’s. Updates are based on filed observations from biologists, Conservation Agents, and snaggers.

Thanks to the warm weather we’ve been having, water temperatures are warmer than we normally see this time of year, the flows have been low and are starting increase a little with the recent rains. The weather is calling for some cooler nights and there is some rain in the forecast. We may see water temperatures hold or dip a little with the cooler nights, and depending on how much rain we get rain, we may get some more flow. I expect that snagging season will most likely get off to a somewhat slow start, which is typical. Snagging success tends to be good opening day then will often slow down, improving as water temperatures and flows increase. The fish will most likely be scattered out and in the deep holes lower in the lakes. Harvest will primarily be local fish and smaller males with the occasional larger fish. Early in the season snagging is typically better at Table Rock Lake with its warmer water temperatures.

This year I would expect snaggers to continue to see a lot of sublegal fish, especially 32-34-inch fish, these fish are from the large 2016 stocking. These fish are age-7 and starting to become legal (greater than 34-inches). It is extremely important to release all sublegal fish unharmed immediately and gently as they are the fish you will be harvesting in the future. Please don’t use gaffs on these sublegal fish.

Dispose of your fish-cleaning waste responsibly when cleaning paddlefish. Help keep areas clean and inviting for everyone to enjoy.

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

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Snagging places and prospects

Please remember the 34-inch-length limit (eye to fork of tail) on Truman Lake and its tributaries.

Water Temperature and Flow

Truman Lake is slightly above normal pool. They are releasing some water from Truman Dam, so there is a little flow. The water temperature is warmer than we typically see this time of year, mid 40sF at the surface.

Fishing Prospect

Paddlefish make spawning runs up the Osage River Arm into the Marais des Cygnes River. Early in the season, snagging is typically good around Talley Bend Access and upstream around Osceola with some finding luck downstream of Talley Bend. As water temperatures and flow increase paddlefish move upstream towards the Roscoe and Taberville accesses and above. Paddlefish can also be found in the lower couple of miles of the Sac River. During years of high-water snagging can also be good in the Marais des Cygnes River all the way up to the Kansas border. Snagging is primarily done from boats; however, some anglers snag from the banks at the accesses, bridge-right-of-way’s: Crow’s Crossing, Osceola Optimist Park, Roscoe Access. Taberville Access and Schell Osage Conservation Area.

Best guess for opening day

Fish typically tend to be scattered out and snagging tends to be better lower in the lake. Water temperatures are cold and there is very little flow. Try the deep holes around the Talley Bend and Osceola areas. If water temperatures and flows increase between now and opening day, you may want to consider moving up a little higher towards Roscoe and above.

Please remember the 34-inch length limit (eye to fork of tail on Lake Ozark and its tributaries. Snagging is not permitted from the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to the Highway 65 Bridge.

Water Temperature and Flow

Lake of the Ozarks lake level is about normal for this time of year. They are releasing water from Bagnell Dam, so there is flow. The water temperature is warmer than we typically see this time of year, mid 40sF at the surface.

Fishing Prospect

Paddlefish primarily make spawning runs up the Osage River Arm. Most of the snagging and harvest occurs in deep holes on the upper 40 miles of the Osage River Arm. Early in the season snagging tend to be good in the Ivey Bend/Coffman Bend area around MM50 and above. As water temperatures and flows increase paddlefish move upstream towards Truman Dam. A smaller snag fishery also exists in the Niangua Arm between the mouth of the Little Niangua Arm and the Highway 54 Bridge.

Best guess for opening day

Fish typically tend to be scattered out and snagging tends to be better lower in the lake. Water temperatures are cold and there is very little flow. Try the deep holes from MM55 up to the Highway 65 bridge. Snaggers typically have better luck lower in the lake around MM55 and MM62/65. If water temperatures and flows increase between now and opening day, you may want to consider moving up higher in the lake, towards Truman Dam.

On the Osage River below Bagnell Dam, the minimum length limit is 32 inches (eye to fork of tail). Snagging is not permitted from the no-snagging zone from Bagnell Dam to U.S. Highway 54 Bridge.

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). Water temperatures are warmer than we typically see, they are releasing water from Bagnell dam. Typically, several fish are harvested in this area opening day/weekend. With the increased 32-inch minimum length limit snaggers will not be harvesting as many fish as they have in the past.

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. Most of the snagging is below the low water dam. Occasionally we also see snaggers out in the Missouri River. Water temperatures are warmer than we typically see, they are releasing water from Bagnell dam. Snagging in this area is typically slow early in the season.

Please remember the 34-inch-length limit (eye to fork of tail) on Table Rock 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 on Table Rock Lake.

Water Temperature and Flow

Table Rock Lake is just above normal pool. They are releasing some water from Table Rock Dam, so there is very little flow. The water temperature is typical of what we see this time of year, in the mid 40sF at the surface.

Fishing Prospect

Paddlefish make spawning runs up the James River Arm. Most of the snagging and harvest occurs within three miles of Point 15 where Flat Creek meets the James River. During high water years, fish and snaggers can go farther up the James River up to the Lake Springfield Dam. Even during normal water level years, some paddlefish remain below Lake Springfield Dam, good bank snagging opportunities exist in this area. Early in the season, snagging tends to be best between Cape Fair Access and Point 15. As water temperatures and flows increase, paddlefish move upstream towards Walnut Springs and McCord Bend. If the James River rises during snagging season, paddlefish can migrate further upstream and can be caught in numerous deeper holes through the James River. Access in the upper James River is limited to shoreline snagging, canoes, kayaks, and jet boats.

Best guess for opening day

Fish typically tend to be scattered out and snagging tends to be better lower in the lake. Water temperatures are cool and there is very little flow. Local fish will congregate in the deeper holes around Point 15 and Bridgeport areas. If water temperatures and flows increase between now and opening day, you may want to consider moving up a little higher up the James River Arm towards Walnut Springs and above.

Public Ramps
  • 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: Closed
  • 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. 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.

 

  • 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.
    • Caution: With the low lake levels some people, especially the snaggers with deeper, V-bottom boats and pontoons, find it difficult to get out of the cove. Be sure to always use caution.
  • 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 below.
  • Bledsoe Ferry 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 below.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Cape Fair Access: go upstream towards Bridgeport.
  • Bridgeport Access: go downstream towards Cape Fair or upstream towards Walnut Spring.
  • Walnut Spring Access: go downstream towards Bridgeport or upstream towards McCord Bend.
  • Blunks Access: go downstream toward McCord Bend or upstream toward Cox.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Blunks.
  • Cox Access: go downstream towards McCord Bend or upstream towards Kerr.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Cox.
  • Kerr Access: go downstream towards Cox or upstream towards Hootentown.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Kerr.
  • Hootentown Access: go downstream towards Kerr or fish the deep hole in front of the access.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Hootentown and it is difficult to boat more than a few miles above Hootentown, except during high water.
  • Shelvin Rock Access: bank snagging is more common at this access.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Shelvin Rock. A limited area is available to navigate to by jet boat, a large bedrock shelf upstream prevents boating further upstream during low water.
  • Delaware Town Access: bank snagging is more common at this access.
    • Caution: a jet boat, canoe, or kayak is needed when launching at Delaware Town.
  • Tailwaters Access (Springfield City Utilities): bank snagging below Lake Springfield Dam is most common here.

 

Permits Required

Unless exempt, you must possess a valid fishing permit if you are snagging or driving the boat used for snagging.

Reminder

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.

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Report Illegal Activity

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

Your identity will remain anonymous, and a reward is possible depending on successful prosecution of the case.

Protect Paddlefish

Use a large net to land all paddlefish safely.

Using a gaff to land paddlefish can injure or kill sublegal paddlefish, making you subject to a penalty.

Help Improve Paddlefishing
  • You can keep the silver jaw tags on legal-sized fish — we will just need a picture of the tag to verify the number.
  • Report sublegal paddlefish, but please do not remove the tags.

Call 573-579-6825 or email.

Alerts and Reminders

Dispose of your fish-cleaning waste responsibly when cleaning paddlefish. Each year, MDC receives numerous nuisance complaints of fish-cleaning waste on the banks around the public fishing accesses, especially during the paddlefish snagging season.

In addition to using trash receptacles, disposing of fish-cleaning waste back into the water is allowed. Fish-cleaning waste should not be allowed to pile up near the water’s edge. It should be discarded into deeper water or in the flowing part of the stream where it cannot end up washing on to the bank or concentrated in one area.

It is important to remember that the Wildlife Code of Missouri states that extracted paddlefish eggs may not be possessed while on the water or adjacent banks and may not be transported. Disposing of paddlefish eggs in trash receptacles and immediately back into the water is allowed. You cannot transport the eggs to another location. This includes by boat out to deeper water for disposal.

Please be considerate, and responsibly dispose of fish-cleansing waste, help keep areas clean and inviting for everyone to enjoy.

Snagging is very dependent on environmental conditions: photoperiod, water temperature and flow. As daylight gets longer, paddlefish will start congregating in deep holes. Then as water temperatures reach 50-55F and there is an increase in flow, paddlefish migrate upstream to spawn. The increase in flow is what triggers them to make the spawning run. As the water temperature and flow increase, the fish will move upstream in the reservoir or river.

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 until flows come down. When reservoirs and rivers are rising due to heavy rains, logs and other debris can float downstream, and boaters need to be careful.

Typically, snagging tends to be good opening day, and then it often slows down. Early in the season, water temperatures are cool, and fish tend to be scattered out and lower in the reservoirs or rivers. Harvest is primarily made up of “local” fish, smaller males and immature females. Males make spawning migrations before females, with more and larger females showing up when water temperatures are 55F and greater. It is the increase in flow that will get the fish moving - think warm spring rains! Remember as water temperature and flow increase snagging improves!

Please follow guidance from the CDC and state/local public health authorities.

Check the paddlefish regulations

  • Please remember — on Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries, the Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, on Truman Lake and its tributaries, and on Table Rock Lake — 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, you 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.

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, with a few becoming legal in 2022. As these fish grow, snaggers will catch a lot of these 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.

Thank you to all the snaggers who have reported tagged paddlefish. Please continue to report all tagged paddlefish that you catch.

  • You can keep the silver jaw tags on legal-sized fish — we will just need a picture of the tag to verify the number.
  • Report sublegal paddlefish, but please do not remove the tags.

While supplies last, we will send an “I Caught a Missouri Paddlefish” t-shirt or paddlefish hat to those reporting a tag.

Continuing to report tagged paddlefish will help us monitor and better manage paddlefish. Together we can keep paddlefish snagging great for many years to come.

To report tagged fish, call 573-579-6825.

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; these fish 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, Truman Lake and its tributaries, and Table Rock Lake 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.

We are continuing to see more bank snaggers, especially on Truman Lake. When operating a boat near bank snaggers please be considerate 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.

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.

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