Muskie Bob

Yep, an article in the Marshfield Mail newspaper said 3 alligators were encountered while fishing for crappie in the Pomme de Terre river. http://marshfieldmail.com/news/gators-in-missouri-marshfield-man-brings-home-the-kill/article_3907c50e-2ae1-11e3-b22b-0019bb2963f4.html

All though I am not a member of the Pomme de Terre chapter of Muskies, Inc., they are having a "Guide for a day" on September 21st. http://www.missourimuskies.org/guide_for_a_day.htm The water temperature should be down that weekend, which should help the muskie fishing. Martin's Flats is one of the most popular areas to fish for muskies. Both the south and north buoy are well known spots. Of course, any where you see a buoy you need to be careful as the water can be very shallow at times. Bucktails account for a lot of the muskies caught. It is a good idea to get familiar with how to handle muskies. Although it isn't too tough, one needs to be prepared properly. Of course, most muskie fishermen release their catch regardless of the size. Good luck

Someone came up with water surface temperature of 80 as the time to stop fishing for muskies during the summer. Why not 81 or 82 or ?? I guess it was just a number that someone experienced loosing muskies after a stressful fight. I feel there probably other factors involved too. How long a muskie is out of water and how it is handled may make a lot of difference regardless of the water temperature. I believe someone previously listed some good tips on proper way to handle muskies for releasing. I think the 80 is when the fish just aren't as active as they are when the water temperature is 75 or less. Of course, the air temperature and heat can be uncomfortable for the fishermen too. Most of the other muskie fishermen I know will hold the muskie by the tail to release it. They hold onto it until they feel the muskie's strength of trying to swim away. Then, they release the muskie and watch to see how it swims away. If it starts to belly up, they grab the tail again and hold it for a couple of minutes before trying to release it. It use to be recommended to push and pull the muskie back and forth thinking to get its gills moving good. That is no longer recommended. I've heard some will rub a muskie's belly gently. I'm not sure what that does, but it might be worth a try too. Some feel it is best to release one in shallow water of less than 10 feet. Of course, a lot of muskies are caught in less than 10 feet of water. Some even keep the net in the water while unhooking the lure. A lot of muskie fishermen feel this really helps. So, NO it would not be better to keep a legal fish after a long battle regardless of any temperature, with the exception of when it continues to belly up after a long battle. Proper handling and release should help muskies live to fight another day. The only muskie I want to keep would be one that would exceed the current Missouri state record. The only reason is that I would like to see the record be from a lake where muskies are stocked on a regular bases. Since muskies do not reproduce in Missouri, releasing a legal muskie gives someone else the opportunity to enjoy catching that muskie another day and it may have grown some by then. I promote and challenge others to make efforts to handle and release muskies. I hope I can catch one and release it for you to catch sometime in the future. Enjoy muskie fishing........

The more the muskie is handled the more slim or skin protection is lost. Then, there is the amount of time the muskie is out of the water. The stress is a lot, but it is especially hard on muskies in hot weather. At least the muskie wasn't held vertically, which is suppose to be hard on them. And, while a 36" muskie is big to some, it is actually considered just a muskie by most muskie fishermen. Some wouldn't even take the time to measure one that size. I probably would measure it unless it had been out of the water some time or it looked to be worn out from fighting. However, during hot water temperatures I would want to get the muskie back into the water as fast as I can. Actually, I am trying to remove the lure hooks while the muskie is in the net along the side of the boat. Obviously, this thread should help the conservation department realize that there needs to be some education on proper handling and releasing a muskie. Hopefully, the marina will be educated as well so they can better inform others how important it is to the lake's population and growth.

I doubt if muskie fishing in Missouri would ever go to catch and release. However, I feel there may be some support for the size limit to be raised. I would like to see the limit set at 45", especially if there are a lot of low 40" muskies found in the lake. I can never see the lake being closed to fishing during summer. I don't know of any lake that does that. However, a good deal of muskie fishermen in other states stop fishing for muskies when the water surface temperatures reach 80. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I do feel there should be some emphasis on educating others on proper handling and releasing muskies for another day. The proper handling is not only for releasing the muskie, but for safety too. Are there any recent reports on the condition of the water and what impact it is having on the muskies? Are more muskies being found floating? Just how major is this and will it have a major impact on the fall muskie fishing?

"After visiting with the folks at the marina yesterday I learned that we are losing far to many fish, and it's time we all do our part to preserve and protect this resource." Just curious,,,,about numbers, size, etc. of muskies being lost. Has this been happening before the higher water temperatures or did it just start with the higher temperatures? If it started before the higher temperatures, what caused the losses? Are other fish being lost? Has anyone contacted Dave Woods, Muskellunge Program Coordinator concerning this issue? It might be helpful for everyone to join the show-me muskie project. Click on the following for more information. http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/protect-missouris-fishing/show-me-muskie-project

white wiggle wart.......has always been good on Pomme de Terre. Cabela's Fisherman Series Walleye Runners (4 3/4") in silver with black back or fire tiger.

NO....you cannot have a larger motor on your boat. I asked the same question a couple of years ago. You call the marina. The internet site has hours, etc. http://fellowslakemarina.com/ Phone Number: 417-833-2058

When I bought my permit last Monday, the guy asked me the horsepower to record on his books. Once I paid for the permit he went to my boat and put the permit sticker on it. Of course, there wasn't any question to the size of my little outboard. The guy before me bought a one day permit and was handed a tag of some sort and was told where to display it. His boat wasn't checked, just was asked about the horsepower. I would guess others on the lake who would see someone with an outboard higher than 40hp would be asking the marina if the regulations has been changed....or report those with the larger hp outboards. I bet the fine would be fairly high.

I suck. After reading about the good crappie reports, I went out Wednesday feeling even I should be able to catch a limit. I went to 4 different locations where I've caught crappie in the past. At two of the locations I caught a crappie fairly quick, which made me think I was going to catch them.....wrong. Of course, I was missing my little tackle box with several different colored jigs. However, black and chartruse using does well for me. I talked to a guy who fished yesterday for crappie and he only caught one. If I was going again, I'd head to the upper ends of the lake. I've seen others talk how good the Bolivar area has been.

Hope you aren't using a bullfrog or green frog. Missouri has regulations on them. http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/non-game-species/frogs As to catfish bait, have you tried cut shad? I use to fish with liver some (even with a bobber). Cut shad probably is best during spring. As to eating fish, I've found I'd rather eat some of the smaller fish. For example, I'd rather eat a 15" bass than a 20" bass. They seem to taste better to me. I've found that true in other fishes too. As to muskies, have you ever wondered why there is a minimum length limit of 36" and 1 per day? I like to think muskies are a catch and release fish with the option of keeping a trophy. As for taste, I have only eaten one, the first one I caught. It wasn't all that good. However, I would think they would taste a lot like northern pike, which I like to eat when I go to Canada. Here again, I've found I like the smaller northerns rather than the ones over 35.5" (only one over that size is allowed). Of course, I've eaten the larger ones, but the smaller are much better to eat in my opinion. Keep in mind muskies are stocked and very few, if any, reproduce in Missouri. Missouri's muskie program is highly recognized for its efforts and results. Fellows Lake is suppose to be one of the best. Although I have only fished Fellows Lake only a couple of times for a few hours, I'm anxious to try the lake again, hopefully next Monday. As to eating fish, one of the better fish to eat are walleye. From what I have heard Fellows has a fair population. You might try fishing gravel/rocky points until summer. In the summer, you might try back of flat areas and toward back of coves. Of course, I'm no expert on fishing....just what I've read and been told. That's what I will try some, as I do enjoy eating a walleye some times.

Good report. It reminds me I need to learn how to flip jigs in the brush. Looks like more rain is headed there, which should keep the water dirty for some time.

Good luck. Thanks for mentioning the lake and staying at a Tunica casino. That sounds like a good combination. I assume there are outlets to charge trolling batteries. I may have to consider a trip next year. Have fun and will be looking for a report. Thanks,

I don't know how others did, but I cast a rogue for about 3 hours last Friday and about 1 1/2 hours today in areas where I normally catch bass in the spring.........I could not catch one bass. I found it hard to believe I could not catch a bass on a rogue.

good report.......fishing stickbaits, mainly rogues, is one of my favorites. Looks like the recent rain is causing the lake to rise even though they continue to release about the same amount of water...2800 In Cubic Feet per Second...for some time.

I see report got moved to Stockton lake. thanks for sharing information.

I'm talking bass. However, muskie, walleye, even crappie, have been known to hit a rogue. No, I haven't tried the new Perfect 10 yet, nor Cabela's exclusive g-finish rogues. Thanks for asking as I hadn't seen the new rogues. I'm not sure I'm that impressed with the colors of the Perfect 10, but the depth is interesting. Thanks for bringing them to my attention. I may have to try one out. Right now, I am looking forward to fishing a rogue for bass, along with some crappie fishing, and yep, you guessed it.......some muskie fishing when I go to Pomme. Muskie fishing hasn't been too good to me, but I enjoy trying. I just enjoy fishing and bass fishing a rogue has always been one of my favorites ever since I started fishing them in the late 70's. They are fun to fish and they catch fish.

Yep, it might be a little early for topwater. However, I feel I've missed out on some good topwater by waiting too late in fishing topwater in the spring. Saying that, I will be throwing Smithwick rogues when I go down April 9th. Over the many years of fishing Pomme, a rogue has been a go to bait in the spring, especially in April.

Latest daily Pomme de Terre lake level and temperatures......... http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/PommedeTerreLake/DailyLakeInformation.aspx

good to see someone else who fishes Pomme de Terre. The white bass died off in the fall of 2009. This year's fishing prospect said it will take several years before the white bass will return. The prospects for crappie sounds good to me. http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/fish/prospects/?m=13#a59

any muskie going to be released is best held horizontally while supporting the belly with one hand. the Missouri Department of Conservation has some tips on releasing a muskie........ http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-how-tos/muskie-fishing

click on the following to get a daily lake level/temp report. Note the date when posted. Sometimes it is yesterday's date. http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/pt/daily.cfm

way to go.......those are really nice fish. congrats and glad to see you release the muskie. Thanks for sharing.

Never heard of Morgan's Flats. Martin Flats isn't too far from the dam and is fairly well known for walleye. Could it be Martin Flats?

fishing prospects - "Walleye population densities are fair to good due to past stockings. Many of the walleye exceed the 15" minimum length limit, and the opportunity to catch a legal-sized fish is good." If you are mainly after walleyes, go to Stockton. I've caught several walleyes while fishing for bass or trolling a walleye lure. However, I have never caught a daily limit of them. But, the walleye fishing seems to improve each year. I think that is a direct result of the past stockings as reported in the fishing prospects. I hope the stocking continues. Those walleyes are good eating.