12 inch limit on spotted bass to go into effect April 30

[Quillback]

Some interesting walleye info:

Walleye fishing should be good in 2026.  Areas around the dam, and the upper reaches of the Kings River Arm, the James River Arm, and the upper White River Arm can all provide good spring walleye fishing.  Walleye typically move up the river arms to spawn around the first part of March and are often caught in the same areas as spawning white bass.  However, recent studies indicate that walleye may migrate back to the main portions of the lake in the summer months and can be caught fishing or trolling near deep points and channel swings during this time.  Electrofishing surveys conducted in the James River in March 2025 showed good numbers of keeper sized (> 18”) walleye present.  In this area, 100% of walleye were > 15” and 56% were > 20”.  Spawning conditions were ideal for walleye in the springs of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023 resulting in good natural reproduction throughout the lake.  The Missouri Department of Conservation also stocked surplus walleye in the James River Arm in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025 which will greatly supplement this fishery.  

[tjm]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Wasn’t the major part of the MDCs decision based on creel surveys?  

In the released information they only mentioned electrofishing surveys in relation to the spotted bass, but they do mention net surveys in relation to other fish. 

[Champ188]

12 hours ago, tjm said:

Doesn't Ar.  already have a 12" limit? 

Yes it does and you will spend day upon day looking for a 15-inch spot in Beaver. Same for the Arkansas portion of Bull Shoals for the most part. 

[Champ188]

1 hour ago, BilletHead said:

           Revisit this in two to three years maybe. Seems to be a lot of doom and gloom about this.

So we should just accept that MDC has done their homework on this and are confident that it won't harm the fishery? Game and Fish departments across the nation are known to lean toward "the everyday angler" when it comes to keeping fish. The demographic for today's everyday bass angler has changed --- you can't cater to guys in flatbottoms anymore because they aren't the majority. The majority are fairly affluent guys with a lot of electronics to hunt the fish down. And don't think a lot of those guys aren't keeping fish. I see them putting them in the livewell quite often, and not talking about gathering up big fish for a hero pic.

I can't see from any angle where this appears to be well researched on MDC's part --- if I'm wrong, they sure aren't being very forthcoming or transparent about it. In my career as a newspaper writer covering G&F meetings, the biologists love to present their findings when they've had proper funding and time to research something properly. Haven't heard any of that regarding this change. 

[Champ188]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

So if any kid can catch spotted bass off any boat dock using worms, why do real fishermen need boats and electronics to catch them? Why do people pay guides to help them catch these worm hungry boat dock fish? 

Ummmm, maybe coz they're visiting and don't have a boat here? Or maybe they're local but don't have access to a dock. There are no public fishing docks on any Corps of Engineers lake that I know of.

Bill Babler guided on TR for decades and was among the most sought-after guides on the lake. And to my knowledge, he never ever kept a bass of any species. He made it clear up front that if they wanted to eat fish, it would be white bass, walleye or bluegill. My guide service info states the same --- no bass will be killed. My guide business, my boat, my choice.

You must have some long arms coz you're really reaching at this point. Or just trolling. Either way, you aren't gonna get a lot of support for running a knife through bass on this forum. 

[Flysmallie]

Beaver has never been and never will be the lake that Table Rock is. You can’t compare the two. 

[Quillback]

2024 Beaver lake survey report, latest available.  In Beaver, it takes 7 years for a spotted bass to reach 15".

Beaver Lake_popular_2024.pdf - Google Drive

[skeeter]

On 2/21/2026 at 12:10 PM, tjm said:

It seems 50 years of leaning on MDC's part and more recent surveys have disproved it at this point. 

Misidentifaction is always a valid concern. Some people can't tell carp from suckers, nor brown trout from rainbows. Some giggers can't tell bass from suckers.  But those who practice deliberate ignorance for the sake of eating a small bass probably already practice some means poaching. Unenforced laws and regulations are in the end just suggestions. If the regulations are enforced, the wardens won't have a problem with identification and if the regulations are not enforced, they don't matter, do they? 

Based on the shallow water location I always see MDC' fisheries sampling boat shocking fish, I think their studies are all wet.  

[skeeter]

1 hour ago, Flysmallie said:

Beaver has never been and never will be the lake that Table Rock is. You can’t compare the two. 

Beaver's Bass fishery is heavily impacted by Bass Eating Stripers.  Invalid conclusion on AFGC's part.  

[DADAKOTA]

Seems weird to me that the survey was done in the fall.  Electrofishing is only effective in shallower water.  Are the spots that shallow when the survey was conducted?  Up here they shock the local lakes in the Spring just prior to spawn when the fish are shallow.