Muskie Bob

I noticed the waves and not many clouds in your pictures. I wonder if the shad like those conditions. Interesting comment about bass fishing after a cold front and snow flakes. I'm not sure if I understand why those days would be best for bass. Very interesting though. I'm not sure when the bass start feeding on shad in the back of coves, but I remember one mid March fishing a Rogue in the back of a cove where bass were feeding on shad. Always best to be safe, especially fishing in the winter. Thanks for you sharing your experiences about weather conditions fishing in the winter. Will post my luck if I get the opportunity to go before March. Good luck. Bob

Never thought much about muskie fishing in December through February. However, I've been told some winters bass fishing is fairly good using stick baits like Smithwick Rogue, which I enjoy fishing with.... even caught a few muskies and lost a few lures while fishing the Rogue. I'm going to try a few Spro McStick. Anyway, you have my interest to where I will be looking at weather forecast to see if there is any time soon for me to come down and fish a few days fairly soon. I like to make a trip where I stay a few days rather than fish one day. I'm getting a little older for the one day drive/fish trips over 2 1/2 hours one way. I use to do a few of those trips many years ago. Based on the weather forecast, I probably won't be fishing until toward the end of February or the first of March. However, that may change as my fishing fever grows. Hope you have many good winter days fishing. Enjoy while being able to go.

Thanks for the information. I will be getting a couple of #9 Shad Rap lures to try out this spring. Of course, I will keep January in mind for next year. Now, I'm looking for a few days where the weather stays close to 40 at night. I haven't ever fished on Pomme de Terre in February. So, this may be a first for me. Thanks again. And, those pictures, etc. get my fishing fever up.

Nice bass and muskies. I've never fished muskies this early in the year. I know several are caught using bass lures. Just wondering what lures you caught the muskies. Thanks, Bob

You may want to look at other boats being launched. The following might be helpful in seeing how crowded a particular launch or ramp might be when you are going. I try to avoid the times around large number of boats taking off. http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/WP04Web/app/searchRegattaWeb?action=Search+Again

Date: 30 April 2015 Normal Pool Elevation: 839.00 Lake Elevation: 841.32 http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/PommedeTerreLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx

perhaps it is time to start a new topic "Fellows April 11 Bass Tournament" with details. This topic has been rather confusing to me. Most tournaments will have specific rules and regulations to follow. It is interesting that the fishing time starts at 7 am when sunrise is just a few minutes before 7. Did I look at the sunrise correctly? Sunrise around 6:45 on the 11th. If so, how does one get registered and boat in water, etc. to begin fishing at 7 am? Sounds confusing to me..... Oh well, good luck to anyone fishing the tournament.

Thanks for the information. Hope the treatment works.

Once the water warms to the mid 40s will they raise the water level to normal 839? If so, will they drop the lake again for the second treatment 10 to 14 days later? How long after the second treatment will the lake remain low? Will the State Park Marina ramp be closed during all this time? Is it closed because of the low water level? Thanks, Bob

Springfield News-Leader of 51" muskie being caugh in May of 2012, which ended up dying. http://archive.news-leader.com/article/20120607/LIFE06/306060105/Muskie-community-buzzing-over-near-record-catch-near-Springfield Those interested in muskie fishing should join the Show-Me muskie project.. http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/protect-missouris-fishing/show-me-muskie-project Hope I can make a trip to Fellows sometime soon. Keep muskie reports coming. Thanks.

Anyone seeing a gun (with the exception of hunters and law enforcements) on the Fellows Lake property should report it to authorities immediately. "open carry" does not give a person the right to carry a gun on Fellows Lake property. These persons should be reported.

I only hope you are rare.

Muskies die more often to poor handling rather than heat. Many muskie fishermen stop fishing for them when water temperature reaches 80 degrees. I'm not sure who decided the 80 degree was the time to stop fishing for muskies. I've caught muskies in July and August when water temperatures are greater than 80 degrees and felt the muskies survived for another day. However, I normally don't fish for them when the weather gets fairly hot. On the other hand, I used to see a guy who trolled in the summer time and caught his fair share of muskies only to see many of his catches floating not far from where he released his catch. The guy must not have had any idea how to properly handle and release muskies, as others would catch muskies and release them without any difficulties. I feel poor handling and releasing causes more muskies to die rather than the heat. Anyway, this time of the year it is best to catch and release. The water temperature is far from being what others consider too hot (80). I hope others will agree it is best to catch and release all of the year. Please read tips on releasing... http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-how-tos/muskie-fishing Of course, each person has the right to decide what to do with a fish as long as it is within the regulations. However, I personally believe any fish with a 1 day limit wasn't set for consumption, but rather for trophy or mounting. I find it difficult to believe others would promote keeping any fish with such a low daily limit. There are too many other fish than are easier to catch to eat. Besides, the smaller fish are usually better to eat anyway. I know I would rather eat smaller northern pike rather than one that is 36" and up. Let's promote catch and release for muskies all of the time. And, emphasize the importance of proper handling and releasing. Afterall, didn't you enjoy catching one of the most exciting fish to catch? Why not look forward to catching that muskie again?

" I would have tried it and if it was nasty, the rest would gone to a fish fry at work!"............lol, you must think a lot about those you work with. What nasty fish do you normally share with them? Actually, I heard gar is suppose to be good to eat. I think I read an article in the Conversation magazine about it. I kept the first muskie I caught in the early 70's. I've never kept another one. I never wanted to eat another one. However, my ex-wife fried it. So, I don't know if it was just her cooking. Ha. Of course, back in those days I probably kept most of the fish I caught. It is very disappointing to see someone is interested in catching a muskie just to eat. The Missouri Conservation Department has reasons for "catch and release", as well as, tips on releasing muskies. http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-how-tos/muskie-fishing I'm sure you can find a nasty fish to contribute to your fish fry at work.

cool, only wish that was on Pomme.