Great News for Shoal creek

[Leonard]

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2006/02/50.htm

Hickory Creek from the Highway 86 bridge to its confluence with Shoal Creek in Newton County will now be a White Ribbon Trout Area, which provides more opportunities for catching trout and the occasional chance to harvest a large trout. During the catch-and-release trout season, from Nov. 1 through the last day in February, only artificial lures and flies may be used to reduce hooking mortality.

[ollie]

Well Leonard, if the local enforcement can keep-up with those who are seining the creek, then we will be ok. With such low water right now Hickory is nothing more than a trickle. No where for them to hide Have you ever fished from the park down to Shoal Creek? I have and I'm still not sure you are allowed to unless you ask permission. Where Hickory creek dumps into Shoal is mainly private property. I see you pasted it from the website, but I am still not sure how acurate that is. I do know MDC doesn't own that land anywhere. It is a coop between the city of Neosho, the Federal Hatchery and MDC.

[MoCarp]

if you wade shoal creek or hickory creek few people will every try and run you off--it is to my understanding that unless you are camping or something--you have the right of portage---anyway I work near the confluence (sp?) of hickory and shoal creek--its mostly public park and mostly lightly fished (except for the illegals with cast nets!)

--work is being done to make more fishable water--but it is very very low right now--and in the summer a place where the local illegal population likes to bathe with a healthy application of soaps and shampoo and the water looks like a greywater discharge at times--hopefull they will ramp up enforcement but don't hold your breath

Mo

[ollie]

MoCarp, I didn't know you work at the terminal. Daisy, Brass Eagle, or the state VA records dept.? Or is there others out there now? Oh yea, the feed mill by the tracks? Just curious, we might need to hook-up sometime!

[MoCarp]

Ollie--I work in Neosho --but not at any you have listed---I ride a desk

I commute from Carthage --everyday of the work week--and spend lunch catching a few 'bows outa Hickory Creek---I also have a wintertime Brown hole close--that I have caught and released 4 browns over 8 pounds in less than 2 hours---If I told you about it you would never have thought browns where even there

Mo

[ollie]

You would be surprised at what places I know of around here, born and raised here. I also have an idea where you might be talking about. Now if you tell me your catching browns down at Big Spring Park...... then we need to have a talk! lol

[MoCarp]

You would be surprised at what places I know of around here, born and raised here. I also have an idea where you might be talking about. Now if you tell me your catching browns down at Big Spring Park...... then we need to have a talk! lol

[FJ80]

MoCarp,

You might check the law again regarding wading. As I understand it, you aren't trespassing if you are below the high water mark, but this "right of portage" applies to "navigable" waters. With Hickory only being a trickle right now, you would be hard pressed to say it is "navigable" if you had to defend yourself. Best thing to do would be go talk to the landowner, ask to fish, the worst they can do is say no.