hornyheadchub

Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) , like the vast majority of their molluscan counterparts are filter feeders. If Human waste is present, then it will be filtered like any other fine particulate from the water. Having raised many different bivalves (mostly spp. found in MO) I can tell you that the particle size is the limiting factor here. A mussel as small as D. polymorpha feeds on particles probably no bigger than ~400microns. Directly associating the presence of Human waste with the presence of D. polymorpha is dead wrong. Suspended organic material, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microalgaes are what what make up the menu for D. polymorpha. ANY body of water with ANY of the above make for a suitable habitat for D. polymorpha. As for the spread of D. polymorpha, our ONLY hope is that boat owners take personal responibilty for their own actions (e.g. properly cleaning boat hulls, and trailers and livewells and engine cooling systems etc.). As we all know, if we fail to take responsibility for our own actions to prevent the spread of invasives/exotics, there will be a suit-and-tie guy that sits behind a desk somewhere, who will sponsor legilation to force us to comply with the language as he/she drafts it, regardless of how spot-on it is with reality. Here are a few links to more info on this issue: NMMA News Center #1 NMMA News Center #2 Nixon Peabody LLP PWSRCAC Here is the ruling (actually dated 30 March 2005). Pertinent info in pages 12, 13, 17, and 18. I've yet to dig up the 2006 ruling.....anyone care to help? It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

I'm in. Send it to everyone you know who owns a boat.

fishinwrench, White bass run is not white bass on beds, in fact white bass don't nest and their larval fish become part of the zooplankton. Regarding Whites, typically staging fish are caught, as you likely know if you've tried to catch them while they are in the act of spawning, because they won't bite a darn thing unless it is a beautiful little David Freeman Epoxy Clouser and you happen to be David. Further, White bass are still stocked in some fisheries as are crappie and I don't fish for crappie on beds either; it's just not my style. Think about it, if you disrupt the process of reproduction and leave all those embryos and fry unprotected, what exactly makes you think that there will be such a good fishery in years to come? On the other hand, if fish populations aren't thinned in certain fisheries (e.g. Taneycomo, the Norfork, the White) jobs and revenue are at stake. As you might expect, issues such as these are rarely simple, and in order to make a good decision you have to have a good understanding of the fishery, your impact on it, the politics, and the local, state, and federal economy that hinges on it.

Pulling bass or any other game fish from a bed during spawn season in a non-put and take fishery is simply chicken-dung fishing.

They eat pretty good. My grandpa would gut and scale them, remove head and fins and grandma would pressure cook them. Then grandpa would take the meat and mix it with cornmeal or breadcrumbs and egg and season and cook'em like salmon patties, yum!

Nice! Thanks Retro. Phil, here is a good link to WSP info. I've seen these guys +150 times since 1993. When Mikey died so did Panic. I gave it a noble effort of about a dozen shows with Mikey's "replacement" George McConnel, but I knew guys in High School who could shred circles around that guy. It was sad really. Now, after attending two nights at the Uptown in Kansas City, MO I can attest to the fact that the boys are riding high again. The guitar player who now graces the stage is simply a consummate professional. Check him out here and here.

I actually half-liked the overzealous river dweller image that he displayed, but he was a crazy SOB there's no question. I always enjoyed watching some green-horn get too close to his spread and the reaction it solicited from him. I even had a friend who was ballsy enough to stand on his little dock when the water came up By the same token I could feel his stare buning a hole in me if I caught a porker near his pad and didn't land or relaese it quick enough for him. His 'Riparian Rights River' sign is still up. What happened to him?

This is the only way to get the real scoop. The speculation on where the original stripers came from has been rolling about for years. Some say that AR did it, others say that MO did it, some say the wrong Federal hatchery truck showed up. Regardless, this lake is subject to management from no less than two state agencies and US Fish and Wildlife, so contacting AR may be neccesary as well. Don't forget that there are BOTH Stipers and Whites in BS, so the possibility of EITHER Palmetto OR Sunshine Bass being born of natural circumstances is undeniable. If MDC ever gets their heads out of their butts, we might have info like this available at the click of a mouse. Here is a great link to info on Hybrid Temperate Bass.

My bad. Here's a great link. I guess my lack of big river schooling fish experience threw me off on this one. Here is a link to a list of common names of Alosa chrysochloris BTW, the Hickory shad - Alosa mediocris is a completely different fish.

A what? Dude, Herring are marine fish, perhaps it was a shad.

On the afternoon of Saturday the 24th of March, I fished on river left at the little feeder creek (name?) just above McCord bend and enjoyed the sounds of the eagle coming from the nest. The nest is pretty clearly visible and is made of pretty substantial branches and is nearly the size of an oil drum! Sorry, no photos.)

I left Galena last night just after dark, and the smoke was clearly visible in every outdoor light and parking lot. The Springfield News-Leader has a story here.

Anything new here? I've heard some rumors.....

BBQ in Springfield area? Pappy's Place at 943 N. Main Ave, hands down. Crosstown is great, but the last time I was in they were no longer serving beer. What the hell is BBQ without beer? I'd rather eat sand with beer than BBQ without beer. Plus Pappy's Place is a Springfield landmark and they have ice cold beer. Now, if you wanna get into some REAL BBQ, jump in the car and head to KC. Between Fiorella's Jack Stack, Arthur Bryant's, Gates, Oklahoma Joe's, and BB's Lawnside (best BBQ wings I've ever had) you'll be in hog (or turkey, or chicken, or beef) Heaven.

Any news here?

Might be easier to call a bait/canoe shop in the area. Hootentown Canoe Rental and Campground 1254 Hooten Town Road Crane, MO 65633 1-877-369-2266 417-369-2266 James River Outfitters 36 Sandstone Drive Galena, MO 65656 417-357-6443 James River Canoe Rental Rt. 2, Box 2 Galena, MO 65656 Y Bridge Canoe Rental Y Bridge Canoe Rental 307 West State Highway 248 Galena, MO 65656

I've been told that they've been running lots of water for the last week ot two. Any new reports?

Watcher, thanks for the report. Anyone heard if its getting good? Still running water? Walleye? Hybrid/Whites? Vonreed, I'm interested in going, but since you don't list a location on your profile, it's hard to know if it'll work.

Here is a list of Commercial Fish Producers in MO. There are a few in our neck of the woods. I'd get myself a big cooler and get what I needed based on the reccomendations in the Pond Handbook.

I'm a fish Biologist and professional Laboratory Aquaculturist. All things fish is my love, my job, my passion. I participated in a two year (2000-2002) comprehensive study of the relative stream health of both Bull and Swan Creeks and several of their tribs. We employed the EPA's Index of Biotic Integrity protocol to 'rate' stream helath based on fish population dynamics and Physical Habitat parameters. This involved block netting a stretch of stream (150-300 meters) and methodically removing, identifying, and counting every fish we could possibly remove from said stretch via Electrofishers and then seines. Very hard work, very exhausting. Here is a picture of a typical day at work. Plus I grew up knee deep in those creeks.

Sam, you're correct about the minnows being sold as bait in shops also being found naturally in Missouri waters. Whether they have always been there or they became established as a result of their use as bait, it doen't matter much. Perhaps the two most commonly found baitfish sold in bait shops (in MO) are: Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Link #2 Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) Link #2 followed by goldfish. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a marina will sell fish caught on the lake/river you fish, like shad during some parts of the year. Here is a list of Commercial Fish Producers in Missouri

Those are the ones. The Blackstripe and the N. Studfish both have the 'spot' on their head.

I think the word "likely" implies that I lack experience with this fish as bait. Now, if I had said "they are a poor choice" that would be another thing. Also, I have interpreted the Code correctly, as I stated, they are subject to the rules of non-gamefish (150).

I don't know much about them as bait, because as I said, I don't use them. Actually, Topminnows are covered by The Code as they those species of fish not defined as game fish 3 CSR 10-6.605 Live Bait PURPOSE: This rule establishes seasons, methods and limits for taking species defined as live bait. (1) Daily Limit: In the aggregate, one hundred fifty (150) crayfish, freshwater shrimp, and those species of fish not defined as game fish in 3 CSR 10-20.805; They may go deep with the help of some weight and a hook, but the fact is that their swim bladders do not connect to their throats as in the majority of fish, but rather the gas exchange is done through the blood. This makes them less than good swimmers of their own accord when at depths of more than a few feet because they are incapable of purging their swimbladders of air. Further, topminnows and other kilifishes are so important to ichthyologists, biologists, aquarists, ecologists and behaviourists, because of their unique beauties and characteristics and because they are critical tools to control diseases where an aquatic insect is the vector. I never said to not utilize them as bait, I simply believe that when we remove an organism from an ecosystem we should be as aware as possible as to the effect it has on that ecosystem.

I did a quick search of this and this is what I think: I would guess that a Steelback Minnow wasa reference to an early commercially available lure, (see this link, look at number 10). This makes sense given the age of the gentlemen you speak of and the production dates of the lure. This is purely speculation, but the only other references I have found to any sort of Steelback, were for a fish in Australia. Topminnows are important controls for aquatic insects (a similar niche to that occupied by the Mosquitofish); they occupy the upper portion of the water column. They have poorly developed swim bladders to be kept at depth of more than a few feet, so they would likely not make good bait anyhow.