March 13?

[GloryDaze]

So on a typical year that far south how would you rate the smallmouth fishing in mid-March on the Buffalo?? Take away the, what if it floods, or what if there is an unusual cold front that sticks around for three weeks and just hit me with the truth-

Would it be good smallmouth fishing or not??

[Al Agnew]

Depends on what you consider good. March can be very inconsistent due to the weather, but I've had some great mid-March days in recent years (not on the Buffalo, but I'm talking Ozark streams in general). "Great" not as in lots of fish, but as in enough really nice fish to make it a great day. The fishing will be slower than in April, but if the conditions are right I'd LOVE to be on the Buffalo in mid-March.

[Zack Hoyt]

I agree with what Al said. Also want to add that you will experience the enjoyment of little to no other paddlers on the water. I love to see people enjoying the water, but there is something special about stopping in between casts to realize there are no sounds of civilization. Maybe I am a bit to romantic, but this is something I enjoy.

[bobber]

water temp is a key factor! along with water clarity. you can't buy a muddy bite on that river! >>but some good news they added 1300 catfish to the river system not sure if all are tagged, or some. but a tagged catfish will PAY $5.00, AND ONE WITH A LO CATER POD WILL PAY $25.00..

[taxidermist]

I find water temp is not the factor as long as the water has been stable a few days.

Small white road runner bounced down the top end of the shoals into the deeper water, one of my best trips was in Feb a few years back and the temp of the air had been around 30F for several days.

Same for Cecil creek year before last.

[Ham]

water temp is a key factor! along with water clarity. you can't buy a muddy bite on that river! >>but some good news they added 1300 catfish to the river system not sure if all are tagged, or some. but a tagged catfish will PAY $5.00, AND ONE WITH A LO CATER POD WILL PAY $25.00..

I love how government works. They spend money to stock em and then pay us to catch them. I'm half serious. I know they want to see how the fish survived and how they have spread out.

I have read that catfish are struggling in the Buffalo, but catfish seem to be doing fine and dandy in Crooked Creek. I wonder what the difference is?