Phil Lilley

I'm back on... anyone else?

Being a state employee one of the benefits is getting May 8th off every year for Truman Day. This year I headed up to the upper Big River and put in at Leadwood Access and paddled my kayak up about 3 miles or so and floated back. Not many fish caught unfortunately. But one I did catch was this beauty 18” smallmouth. Initially had it hooked on a horny toad in which she came off but hem followed it up with a PB&J Ned which didn’t come undone. Caught another smaller small mouth, a couple small spots and largemouth, a couple green sunfish and this cool looking giggle eye. Trips like this will wear a guy out though. Needed to drag the kayak across a couple sand bars where the water was too swift. Gonna be sore tomorrow. View full article

Still working on it.

I need IP's. Wherever you can NOT get on, click on http://www.whatsmyip.org/ and send me your IP. The more info I get the better.

My guess is 5-6 days.

They’re now running 15,000 cfs out of Table Rock with 5 gates and 3 turbines. It’s equal to 4 full units. Looks like they’re keeping Beaver under 1130 which is amazing considering the rain they got.

All,We will be opening Table Rock gates 3, 5, 7, 9, and 8 to 1 ft each at 1800 today. The total spillway release will be approximately 5,000 cfs. With todays scheduled generation, the total combined daily outflow will be approximately 7,000 dsf. Tomorrow we are requiring full power from the three available units plus the 5,000 cfs spillway release for a total combined release around 15,000 dsf. We still have one generating unit unavailable.Thank-you,BeckyRebecca ShorttOperations Project Manager, Table Rock Lake4600 State Highway 165, Branson, MO 65616501-340-1220

All,We will be opening Table Rock gates 3, 5, 7, 9, and 8 to 1 ft each at 1800 today. The total spillway release will be approximately 5,000 cfs. With todays scheduled generation, the total combined daily outflow will be approximately 7,000 dsf. Tomorrow we are requiring full power from the three available units plus the 5,000 cfs spillway release for a total combined release around 15,000 dsf. We still have one generating unit unavailable.Thank-you,BeckyRebecca ShorttOperations Project Manager, Table Rock Lake4600 State Highway 165, Branson, MO 65616501-340-1220

Hope to see you a lot on the board... with lots of pics of fish caught on Stockton. I haven't had a bad trip there yet... it's a good place to move to. Befriend Kris Nelson. He and his wife bought Stone Creek Lodge near State Park. He'll put you on fish. Awesome family.

I think depending on the location on the lake, it varies because the water temp was still too cold just last week. Even though the temp is now right, it may take a little time to get ready to go. It has been a late, and a quick warm up. They've been waiting for weeks for the water to warm up. The crappies I caught in Long Creek last evening are ready and have started. But I bet some in other areas might already be done.

Out of 6 crappie, 4 were females and 2 males. Three of the 4 sows still had eggs and one was half spawned out. The whites had not spawned either.

After a far-too-cold spring, Ozarks lakes are finally starting to warm up. No one knows that better than Powersite bow fisherman Casey Rains, who shot a 32.95-pound mirror carp Monday night that should easily eclipse the current Bowfishing Association of America record for a Missouri mirror carp. "We were on the upper end of Bull Shoals Lake, in a semi-secret spot," said Rains. "We were out looking for big gar coming up from a deep channel and found this one cove with a spring flowing in back where the water was really clear." Click for Full Story Wes Johnson, WJOHNSON@NEWS-LEADER.COM View full article

Again, this wasn't forecasted. Just kept curling around and hitting us over and over. We're in our 4th round, and last. Just under 3 inches here. Looks like Short Creek was blown out... full sized, big trees floating by the dock presently. Generation on Taneycomo was off one day... that's going to be it for a long time now.

Put in at Long Creek about 6 p.m. yesterday. Check my 2 corners and they were occupied. Went on up south, under the highlines and into the cove on the left before the state line. Went back towards the back and ran the bank - caught bass. In the back right corner we caught a couple of crappie and small male white bass. Tons of small fingerling fish, may be shad. Fish were busting them pretty good. Headed back out and north. Bass guys fishing the area close to the corners so we went on up in to Brushy. Fished the first cut on the left where the eagle's net is - nothing. Getting dark, running out of options and time - headed across the water to the north bluff side and fished a cut I'd caught crappie in years ago. Scored 2 quick keepers. Worked west along the bank and caught a few more- lost 2 at the boat. Only one short. All caught on either a white 3/32nd oz white jig or a smoke swimming minnow. Most were out from the bank 8-12 feet and suspended. I haven't cleaned them yet so don't know male/female or if they might have eggs. Water temp 61 main lake, as warm as 65 in some pockets.

Must not be working.

Water back on today.

Kris sent me pics last night and a short text. We caught most of them in 6in-3ft used long rods and dipped the shallow bush all the way down the north bank. First day Mathew and I got to just go fish without clients. Fun way to catch them. Sons Creek

First time in many days, weeks - no generation on Taneycomo today. Duane and Steve thought it'd be tough fishing since it's a big change for the trout but they both caught lots of rainbows on.... of course the pink worm. Berkley's pink worm on a jig head 4-6 feet under an indicator. they both fished it between Fall and Short Creeks. Dickey's client caught one just under 19 inches and weighed more than 5 pounds... a pig. No rain in the immediate forecast so looks like this pattern may hold for a bit.

Schell Lake will be drained for wetland renovation project at Schell-Osage Conservation Area in Vernon County Schell City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has approved a fish salvage plan as Schell Lake is drained during June 2018 at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area in Vernon County. MDC is preparing to drain the lake as an early step in the renovation of the wetland management pools and water control structures. This project will improve the wetlands for waterfowl habitat, improve the fishery at Schell Lake, and reduce long-term flood damages. Schell Lake will begin to be drained June 1 and is expected to be emptied by July 1. Most of the fish in the lake are expected to be released into the nearby Osage River. But some fish may be stranded in pools of standing water. To minimize wasted fish, an emergency fish salvage order will be in place from June 15 through June 30. The emergency fish salvage order will allow anglers to use both regular and alternative methods to harvest fish. Examples of alternative methods include seining, dip net, gigs, and bowfishing. However, during this time, anglers must still abide by other statewide regulations including daily and possession creel limits and any fish removed from Schell Lake during this emergency salvage may not be possessed on any other waterbody of the state or banks thereof. Starting June 1, all boating will be prohibited on Schell Lake for safety reasons. Fishing of any kind will be prohibited at the lake starting July 1 until lake renovation and fish population stockings are completed. All or portions of the wetlands, including waterfowl hunting areas, will be closed once construction begins, until completion of the project. Schell Lake will be closed to fishing three to five years. The construction project is expected to take up to two years. Then it will take two or three more years for fish to be stocked and grow into a population strong enough for a sustainable fishery. The upland areas, Atkinson Lake, and ponds at Schell-Osage will remain open to normal birding, hiking, hunting, and fishing activities during the project. MDC for several years has studied long-term challenges for wetland management at Schell-Osage. The planned construction will reduce costly flood damage and improve marshes and Schell Lake for wildlife and outdoor recreation for decades to come. MDC in 2004 kicked off a Golden Anniversary Wetlands Initiative to make improvements on the state’s five oldest wetland management areas. Schell-Osage is the last wetland on the list to receive renovations. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow plans and work progress via a web page that will be periodically updated by MDC staff. Also, those interested in the project can sign up for updates via email by visiting https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zqu. Photos: MDC has approved a fish salvage order for June at Schell Lake at the Schell-Osage Conservation Area northeast of Nevada, Mo. The lake is being draining for a renovation project to improve wetlands, fishing in the lake, and to reduce damage to water control structures when flooding occurs. Missouri Department of Conservation photos

Bumping this up. Fishing's pick up - catching some good rainbows below Fall Creek now.

Duane took a trip this morning. Caught them good on the pink worm under a float. Owen, the younger of the 3, caught the most trout for one reason... he couldn't stop messing with the line, which moved the float, which moved the pink worm.

Comment on gigging Ozark streams at mdc.mo.gov under GIGGING FEEDBACK by June 15. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reviewing regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri regarding gigging on Ozark streams and wants public input through a brief online survey regarding timing of the season, season length, and comments. Share input on gigging on Ozark streams through the MDC homepage at mdc.mo.govunder GIGGING FEEDBACK. Please take the survey by June 15. Gigging consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/fish-gigging. Gigging consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Share input on gigging on Ozark streams through the MDC homepage at mdc.mo.gov under GIGGING FEEDBACK.