ehertz2

Ok, here's the scoop. Talked with the local conservation agent this morning and sounds like you two,like me and everyone else had assumed that the corp or MDC owned either the field(s) or at least some access point to the road. Not so...no state agency owns anything within 2/10ths of a mile from the road. They do own the river valley and the treeline over along the southwest side of the field but that comes nowhere near the road. Only access up to the road is way over by Taylor. What we have been dealing with here is incredibly gracious landowners, who for years allowed us unrestricted use of thier land to gain access to our beloved whitebass hole. Because no one ever said anything to me about it for years I had incorrectly assumed it was public land. I have friends swearing up and down its public...its not folks and we have been shut out thanks to inconsiderate people. The same people that have shut down nearly every good access point in the state. Grrr.

I have talked with lady at the MDC and she has text messaged the agent in that area. He supposed to call me later today or tomorrow. Yeah, I think the old road bed may be an easement, but the field is private. Are there trails that lead up to that area from Taylor? Or is it best just to haul the canoe and paddle up? I will post as soon as I hear back.

Nd1987 someone else reminded me of that sign too. I had forgot about that. I am doing some checking. Stay posted

After many years of parking along R86 at the powerlines, the owners have finally had enough. Now a large round bail sits where we usually park with a no trespassing sign on it. I talked to the owners who said that after many years of allowing access to the river that this year too many people were parking there in thier field. People were leaving fish guts, trash and making ruts. Also she said people were there all night which was worrisome to them. I appologized for others who were inconsiderate, but admitted I was partially to blame in that i, along with most everyone else had assumed that thier small field was corp land. I thanked her for the years of being able to park there and left her with a bag of fish fillets. Guess I will now put in at Taylor and paddle up.

Ok thanks, will do.

Fishinwrench, any info on the whites would be.much appreciated. Coming up to the lake with the fly rod this weekend to fish the Big Niangua. Any advice? Eric

Any reports of White bass activity on the Big Niangua? Coming up this weekend and will he camped right where the B. Niangua spills out into the lake. Any info is greatly appreciated. Eric

Here is a photo of one. Sorry about the multiple posts. Still trying to figure out the site.

Here is a photo of one. Sorry about the multiple posts. Still trying to figure out the site.

That's....green rabbit hair leech.

Went wade fishing yesterday up by the dam. Water is swift and deep. Looks like all generators are going. Found two places where there were slight eddies and slack water. Caught a nice fish in each spot. No other bites but those two fish but they were my two biggest Missouri trout ever so I was pretty happy! Only had about an hour and a half to stay but if I had more time I would have explored more bank. Using a green rabbitt hair peach. Eric

Is the upper worth coming down to today? In Springfield and I am new to the lake and its conditions. I normally fish up near Shepard. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated. Thanks. Eric

We started out at Taylor and noticed two old guys across the river that obviously had a few fish in five gallon buckets. They were far enough away that I didn't get a chance to talk to them. We caught a small Kentucky just above the bridge but no whites. We then moved down to the iron bridge. Two guys there had caught a few whites and crappie over on the lake side boat ramp. I think they were using minnows but were pretty tight lipped. We put in the canoe and fished almost all the way up to Taylor. Not a bite! Saw another guy coming down from Taylor and he had nothing as well. We then floated back down and got to the rocky area about 1/2 mile upstream from iron bridge and I caught a small white and a nice smallmouth. The other guy we had met earlier also caught a nice white by the bridge. This was about 2 or so and it was warming up by then. Pretty slow still. Heading to the Buffalo river tomorrow morning for some floating/ fishing. Good luck out there!

Getting ready to head out now. After that report thunderchicken I will probably head over to Taylor with the canoe and see what's happening. Do you know If the guy in the canoe caught above or below bridge?

Always wanted to do this...someday I will. We float the mid quite a bit. Black and white swimming minnows and lizards work well.