Fishing Areas
Five lakes are currently stocked and managed for muskies: Pomme de Terre, Hazel Creek, Fellows, Henry Sever, and Lake 35 (Busch Conservation Area).
Muskie lakes in Missouri
Pomme de Terre Lake
Sampling was delayed a full week later than normal due to cooler than normal water temperatures and nasty weather conditions.
Fyke nets fished for three days at the yearly sampling sites. Eleven nets fished for a total of 33 net days of effort and resulted in 128 fish captured and a catch rate of 3.88 per net per day, down from 6.95 in 2008.
The largest fish captured was a 43-inch female weighing 28 pounds, 5 ounces. Fish captured that exceeded the 36-inch minimum length limit equaled 56 percent of the total catch and 24 percent of the total exceeded 40 inches. For comparison, 50 percent of the fish exceeded 36 inches in 2008 and 7 percent exceeded 40 inches. Lower densities of legal-sized fish but larger fish are available to the angler in 2009 due to the aging large year classes of fish from the 1999 and 2000 stockings.
For more information concerning Pomme de Terre muskies call (417) 532-7612. Ext. 224 or 236.
Hazel Creek Lake
Fyke netting surveys were conducted during April of 2009 at 530-acre Hazel Creek Lake. Muskie capture rates improved from 2008, but remained uncharacteristically low, probably due to high lake levels, extremely turbid water and cooler than normal water temperatures. Although capture rates were low, size structure of the population was good with 67% of the muskies captured exceeded the 36 inch minimum length limit, and nearly 30% were 40 inches or longer. Two fish, measuring 45 and 46 inches in total length weighed just over 30 pounds each.
Aquatic vegetation continues to be sparse, but numerous beds of American pondweed have been observed during the summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008. Founder colonies of water willow were planted in three locations on the lake during the summer of 2006. These colonies continued to survive prior to 2008, but it is unknown if these plants survived complete inundation last spring and summer.
The minimum length limit for muskie changed in 2008 from 42 inches to the statewide length limit of 36 inches. Rational for the change in the length limit was due to the high voluntary release rate of muskies statewide and the relatively low angler effort at Hazel Creek Lake. Hazel Creek Lake was the only lake in Missouri with a 42-inch minimum length limit, and there was no biological justification to maintain one lake under a different length limit.
By City ordinance, gasoline powered motors are prohibited on Hazel Creek Lake, but electric motors may be used. Gas motors may be attached to the boat, but must not be used. For more information on muskie fishing at Hazel Creek Lake, call the Northeast Regional Office at (660)785-2420.
Fellows Lake
The 2009 spring fyke-netting season on Fellows Lake was conducted in late March. A total of 28 fyke-net days captured 68 muskie ranging from 13.8 to 47.6 inches in length. This equates to a catch rate of 2.43 muskie per net per day. Muskie caught appeared healthy and thirty-three, or 49%, of the muskie sampled were of legal size (36 inches or greater). The minimum length limit for muskie is 36 inches, and the daily creel limit is one.
Muskie habitat available in the 820-acre water supply reservoir consists of submerged stumps, brush piles made from deciduous trees, and coontail beds. Several brush piles were enlarged during February 2009. Click here for an updated map, or pick one up at the MDC Southwest Regional Office. There is a marina located on the lake where boats and motors may be rented and bait and tackle purchased. A $25.00 annual boat permit is required which may be purchased at the marina. Boats with outboard motors larger than 40 horsepower cannot be used on this lake, even if the motors are not used. All boats must be off the water by sunset. For more information, call the Southwest Regional Conservation Office at (417) 895-6880.
Henry Sever Lake
Catch rates for spring, 2009 muskie netting at Henry Sever Lake in Knox County were better than in 2008. And, the size of the fish you are likely to catch is getting bigger. A little over half of the fish caught were of legal size (36 inches) and a fourth of all fish caught exceeded 38 inches.
While the fishing should be good in 2009, spring fishing will be difficult. Heavy rains in the watershed have made the water very turbid. Visibility is less than a foot. However, summer tends to bring much clearer water and better fishing conditions. Weed beds around the lake will also rebound during the summer months, and combined with the numerous brush piles placed in years past, will provide good fishing opportunities.
Facilities available at the lake include a picnic pavilion, handicap-accessible fishing dock, fishing jetties, and gravel camping pads. There is no fee to use the camping pads. Rental boats are also available. You may use the oars provided or bring your own outboard motor. For more information about fishing Henry Sever Lake, contact the Hannibal office at (573) 248-2530.
Lake 35, August A. Busch Conservation Area
The 62.5-acre lake was first stocked in October 2001 with 93 fingerlings and in spring 2002 with 112 yearlings. Since 2005, stocking has continued at an annual rate of one muskie per acre (63 muskies). The lake is managed with a statewide minimum length limit of 36 inches.
The lake has been full the last two years with above-average rainfall, and all fish species are doing well as a result. Coontail and American pondweed typically cover 10-20 percent of the lake by mid-summer, and numerous brushpile projects have improved deep water habitat in the lake.
In 2009, Busch Lake 35 was sampled in late March for a total of four nights. Catch rates were 2.3 per net night. Water temperatures were 58° Fahrenheit the first day and dropping to 53° Fahrenheit by the end of the week. The weather was cold following a very warm March. The muskie were fat and healthy, with maximum size of 42 inches and 22 pounds, with 40 percent of the muskies caught exceeding the legal size limit of 36 inches. From the sample, 18 fish were weighed and calculated mean Wr=99.3.
Muskie fishing should be good at Busch this year with several different year classes available.
