Paddlefish Snagging Report for 4-8-20 from MDC

Report for April 8, 2020 

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

NOTICE – – Due to health precautions regarding COVID-19, Bledsoe Ferry Access, Drake Harbor and Old City Ramp at Lay Park in Warsaw are closed. At this time all other public ramps are open. 

Remember physical distancing starts with you. When visiting one of our areas or boat ramps, it is critically important to follow guidance from the CDC and state/local public health authorities on physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, disinfecting surfaces and handwashing. When enjoying the outdoors, these guidelines must be followed for everyone’s public health and safety. 

Water temperatures are in the upper 50’s, pushing 60 on the reservoirs and flows are good; there is a lot of logs and debris in the water, especially on Truman. Please be careful, watching for logs and debris and wear life jackets as the water is cold and there is good flow. The Truman fish are still scattered out, snagging pressure has been light. They’ve been harvesting fish from Osceola to Taberville and above. The Lake of the Ozarks fish have started moving up towards Warsaw. Most of the fish that they are harvesting on both reservoirs are 34-39 inches, and we are seeing more of the larger 50+ pound fish. The fish are in good condition – nice and fat! The Osage River below Bagnell Dam has come down some from last week and there is high flow. Fishing pressure is lighter, we are continuing to see a few fish harvested on both the upper and lower Osage River. Snaggers are seeing a lot of sublegal fish (20-30 inches), these fish are from the really large 2016 stocking. It is extremely important to release all sublegal fish unharmed immediately and gently as they are the fish that you will be harvesting in the future. Just a 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.

MDC stocks paddlefish to maintain paddlefish fisheries at Lake of the Ozarks, and Truman and Table Rock lakes. This week staff are finishing up 2-weeks of paddlefish spawning at Blind Pony Hatchery. Paddlefish broodstock were collected in February from Truman Lake and Osage River below Bagnell Dam. Staff will spawn up to 20 females and 20 males. Paddlefish eggs take about 7-days to hatch. The fry are kept for another 7-days inside the hatchery building before they are moved outside to rearing ponds. When fish reach 10+ inches and water temperatures are suitable, about 38,000 fish will be stocked into Lake of the Ozarks, Truman and Table Rock lakes and the Black River. It will take about 7-years to reach legal size of 34-inches on the reservoirs. These fish will be large enough to begin harvesting in 2027. Broodstock will be released back to where they were caught after the snagging season.

Thank you to all the snaggers who have reported tagged paddlefish. Please continue to report all tagged paddlefish that you catch. Yes, you can keep the silver jaw tags, 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 and “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 or call or email me 660-530-5500 or email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov.

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.

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.

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.

Water temperatures remain good – we’re pushing 60 at the surface on the reservoirs and mid-50’s on Osage River. There are good flows. From last week Truman Lake is down 2+ feet, Lake of the Ozarks down about 1-foot and the Osage River below Bagnell Dam down slightly. They are releasing a lot of water from both Truman and Bagnell dams and are calling for continued releases. The extended forecast is calling for cooler temperatures and some rain. It looks like the wet pattern is continuing.

 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 down 2+ feet from last week, yet still high. There is good flow, they are releasing a lot of water from Truman Dam. The water temperature is in upper 50’s, pushing 60 at the surface.
• Snagging pressure has been light. The fish that ran up the Marais des Cygnes, moved back down when the water dropped. High water and flow can make snagging more challenging, there is a lot of logs and debris in the water that snaggers must watch for. The fish, including the larger females are scattered out from Osceola to above Taberville. Snaggers are harvesting primarily small fish (34-39-inch fish) and we’re seeing more of the larger females 50+ lbs. All the fish we’ve seeing are in good condition – nice and fat! Snaggers are catching several sublegal fish (24-30-inch fish), please be sure to release these fish immediately unharmed. 
• Best guess. The fish are scattered out; water temperatures and flows are good. As water levels come down, the fish will tend to move back down. Try the deep holes from the Osceola area to Taberville and above. As water temperatures increase, you may want to consider moving up a little higher towards Roscoe and above. With the high flows there’s logs and debris in the water, please use caution and 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 just above 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: 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.

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 down about 1-foot from last week. There are good flows, as they are releasing a lot of water from both Truman and Bagnell dams. The water temperature is in upper 50’s, pushing 60 at the surface.
• Snagging is good on the Osage and Niangua arms. The fish have started moving upstream towards Warsaw. Snaggers are harvesting primarily small fish (34-39-inch fish) and we’re seeing more of the larger females 50+ lbs. The fish are scattered out from MM50 up to the Highway 65 bridge (about MM89.5). Snagging is getting better above MM75. Snaggers are continuing to have good success on the Niangua Arm. Snaggers are catching several sublegal fish (24-30-inch fish), please be sure to release these fish immediately unharmed.
• Best guess. The fish are scattered out; water temperatures and flows are good. Try the deep holes from MM55 up to the Highway 65 Bridge. Snaggers are starting to have better luck in the upper lake above MM75. As water temperatures increase you may want to consider moving up higher in the lake, towards Truman Dam.

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: CLOSED – Due to health precautions regarding COVID-19.
• Bledsoe Ferry Access: CLOSED – Due to health precautions regarding COVID-19.
• 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 down slightly from last week, yet it is still high. They are releasing a lot of water from Bagnell Dam and the water temperatures are in the mid 50’s at the surface. Snaggers are still having success; however, success has slowed down with most fish harvested in the 28-32-inch size range. 
• 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. Most of the snagging is below the low water dam. Occasionally we also see snaggers out in the Missouri River. The water level is falling, yet still high. With less rain water clarity has improved and the water temperatures are in the mid 50’s at the surface. Snagging pressure has slowed way down. 

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.