Stl Area Fishing

[T Hood]

Gentlemen:

Looking for a little advice. Now that most of the urban trout have been decimated by the well-meaning and the poachers, I'm ready to transition to the rivers and lakes. But, as an admitted rookie to STL area fishing, I'm looking for advice on where to fish and what to go after in late Feb and early March.

Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks,

[mic]

Gentlemen:

Looking for a little advice. Now that most of the urban trout have been decimated by the well-meaning and the poachers, I'm ready to transition to the rivers and lakes. But, as an admitted rookie to STL area fishing, I'm looking for advice on where to fish and what to go after in late Feb and early March.

Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks,

What are you fishing for? Boat or bank?

[duckydoty]

Should be able to catch some walleye and sauger (mostly sauger) below Alton Lock and Dam. Also below the old Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Illinois side. I don't know if they still allow you to fish for sauger there or not? You will also need an Illinois fishing license to fish there. Spoonbill season is getting ready to start on March 15th. Below Alton Lock and Dam is a good place for spoonbill also. The big head carp will move up below the dam so thick you can almost walk on them soon too. They are fun on light tackle and 1/8th oz jigs. White bass will be moving up the Cuiver River and into the back side of Howell Island in a couple of weeks. Howell Island is down by Gumbo Flats....Chesterfield Bottoms. In April, when the Missouri River comes way up, Howell Island is another good spot for spoonbill. The smaller ponds and lakes at Bush Wildlife have produced up to 8+ pound bass for me this time of year on the warmer days. Then there is always the cat fishing on the big rivers. Below locks and dams, again Howell island and anywhere you can get into the deeper holes. Also when the rivers come up into the trees on the levees is my favorite time to get in a canoe and run limb lines. I've caugh several 40-60 blues and flat heads doing that. Those big guys are fun to wrestle with every now and then.

Good luck to you. Theres lots of fishing opportunities in your area.

[stlfisher]

If you want to stay really close to home and only have a few hours to fish I would start to target the smaller ponds and even the urban lakes for bass and Crappie. I caught a few bass on Saturday. Busch might not be a bad choice to kill a few hours until thing's really get crankin. I think bass start getting active a little sooner than people might think and a few warms days can heat up those ponds pretty quickly. I have heard of people starting to catch crappie as well.

[T Hood]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to be on the bank. No boat yet. Alton Lock & Dam is sounding new and interesting.

I know all about Taneycomo, for sure. But, that's a 3 1/2 hour drive for me. So, not practical right now. I can get to BSC in an hour. That's always an option.

Good idea on hitting the local lakes and going out to Busch. I saw Lake 33 had "Crappie Bed" signs up the other day. I'll just have to get out and give it a go.

Thanks again,

[stlfisher]

There are a boatload of Crappie in 33. Most are small, but it is overun with them.

Good luck and have fun.