charliehorsejigs

Don't sell the fishing docks short. A lot of people use them because they either don't have a boat, are handicapped and can't bankfish, or need to be inside because of the weather. I have seen a lot of times that the dock at mutton creek was so crowded that there was no room for anyone else to fish. There was also a lot of fellowship there. Seemed like everyone seemed to have a good time just visiting with each other even if the fish were not biting. We always were trying to help each other catch fish by sharing techniques and sometimes lures.

I have to agree with you OneLung, the prices to license boats, motors, and trailers is ridiculous. but welcome to the wonderful world of the Missouri Department of Revenue. The fees they get do not even go to the Missouri Department of Conservation but to the State of Missouri. You would think part of the money would at least go to where the boats are used. And as for the high out of state license fees, ours used to be reasonable until our neighboring states started jacking up their rates to our sportsmen. Then Missouri started raising their fees as payback. It's a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped. The other states need to enact a 1/8 of a cent sales tax like Missouri has to support conservation in their states. Our state has raised millions of dollars this way and has some of the finest lakes and streams in the country, not to mention the great conservation programs aimed at kids.

They shut it down about a year and a half ago. They were going to use the space for additional room for the restaurant. The owners said they were considering building another one, but I haven't heard any more about it. I don't know of any other enclosed docks on any lakes around here. I like to fish covered docks in the winter, but I will not pay the OUTLANDISH fees Oklahoma charges for an out of state fishing license. It should be considered extortion.

Sure do miss the fishing dock at mutton creek. Anyone heard if they are going to build another one?

Had our company crappie tournament on Saturday. Tough fishing for everybody. Water temp. had dropped 6 degrees, and the wind was terrible. What fish were biting quit as soon as the clouds cleared off. Biggest limit of fish was just over 8 pounds. Biggest crappie was just 1.32 pounds. Glad it was caught by my fishing partner. I got third biggest with 1.24 pounds. I'm beginning to think that they should put windmills on the hills around Stockton Lake and put this darned wind to some useful purpose. Seems a shame to waste it.

It is posted on the muttoncreekmarina.com website as follows: "Our indoor fishing dock is now closed and will not reopen." There is a fishing dock located at Ruark Bluff. Problem with that dock is it is not enclosed and gets a lot of fishing pressure. When I talked to the marina they said they were going to use the space for the restaurant. It is going to stay open. We ALL just need to let them know how much the fishing dock is going to be missed.

Wanted to let everyone know, The fishing dock at Mutton Creek is closed and will not reopen. I talked to the marina about this and was told that they "might" build a new dock this fall. It was used by a lot of people who do not have a boat. There were several handicapped people that fished there also. They haven't got anywhere else to go as there are no other enclosed docks on this lake or any others around, unless you go to Oklahoma and pay an "unreasonable" license fee. Everyone needs to get feedback to the owners at Mutton Creek so they know there is a lot of interest in a new dock. Thanks for the help.

We are also finding crappie in the old hedgerow between CC and Birch Branch. They have been running 10 to 15 feet deep. Just tie i up to a tree and cast toward the nearest one, let it sink down, and reel very slowly. Sometimes the fish will follow the jig all the way back to the boat, within 2 feet of the surface, before biting. Jig color didn't matter as long as it had a yellow or chartreuse tail. Don't forget to use the crappie nibbles. The Crappie wouldn't touch the jigs without them. A friend of mine has also had good luck trolling the same jigs along the edge of the trees slowly, about 12 to 15 feet down. They bite best between sunup and noon.

Heard there was a lot of damage at Mutton Creek Marina during the recent windstorm. Anyone heard if it has been fixed yet?

Just found this website this spring. I live in Carthage, and the information I have found here has been very helpful in planning my trips to Stockton Lake. My friends and I really appreciate the fishing reports. Keep up the good work.