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
The annual spring Muskie sampling was conducted the first week of April on Pomme de Terre Reservoir. A total of 145 muskies were captured, measured, weighed, and released during the 19 net day sampling period. This equates to 7.6 fish per net day which is below the 10.6 fish per net day of 2006. (Previous to 2004 the catch rates were consistently below 4.0 fish per net day.) Of the145 fish surveyed, 99% were longer than 30 inches and 43% were longer than the 36 inch minimum length limit. This abundance of 30 inch plus fish is due to the successful fish stockings of 1999 and 2000. The largest fish captured was a female weighing 23 lbs 11 oz. and 42.5 inches in length. For more information concerning Pomme de Terre muskies call (417) 532- 7612. Ext. 236.
Hazel Creek Lake
Fyke netting surveys were not conducted during the spring of 2007 at 530-acre Hazel Creek Lake, although anglers can expect a high proportion of fish caught to measure 36 inches or longer . Aquatic vegetation continues to be nearly nonexistent, but the good news is that numerous beds of American pondweed were observed scattered throughout the lake last summer. Founder colonies of water willow were planted in three locations on the lake during the summer of 2006. As of October of that year, a majority of the plants had survived. The current length limit for muskie at Hazel Creek Lake is 42-inches with the daily limit of one fish. On March 1, 2008, the length limit for muskie will be reduced 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 is 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 boats 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 (660) 785-2420.
Fellows Lake
The 2007 spring fyke netting season on Fellows Lake was conducted in late March. Our catch data continues to show improvement in the muskie population. A total of 25 fyke net days captured 89 muskie ranging from 29.3 to 49.0 inches. This equates to a catch rate of 3.5 muskies per net per day. Forty six, or 51%, of the muskie sampled were 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 2005 and an updated map is available, or contact 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 $5.00 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
The muskie population in this 162-acre lake is looking pretty good. Fyke-netting catch rates decreased from 2006, probably because of turbidity and a late spring cold front during our sampling week. Despite this, catch rates were still fair. All fish caught were longer than 30" and 21% were longer than 36" . There is a large crop of fish just below the legal length limit. Muskie activity in the spring is highest in the downstream half of the lake.
Anglers will find lots of cover to fish in 2007. Eighty-five trees were either hinge-cut from shore or placed off-shore in 2006 and another 40 trees were hinge-cut in the lower half of the lake this spring. Most are visible and some are accessible from shore. Gravel camping pads are available for use free of charge. Boat rental is also available for a nominal daily fee. You may use the oars that are provided or bring your own outboard. For more information on fishing Henry Sever Lake, contact the Hannibal office at (573) 248-2530.
Lake 35, August A. Busch Conservation Area
This 62.5-acre lake was initially stocked in Oct 2001 with 93 fingerlings and spring 2002 with 112 yearlings. Stocking with 63 muskies from Iowa in 2005 and 2006 which is one muskie per acre. The minimum length limit is 36". The lake filled and spilled over the new spillway for about a week with our wet spring weather. Coontail and American pondweed cover 10-20% of the lake by mid-summer and numerous brushpile projects have improved deep water habitat in the lake. This year a 39.5 inch muskie was the largest netted and 59% of the catch was of legal size (36inches). The muskie catch was 22 for four nights of sampling. Water temperatures rose 8° during with near record temperatures and the fish vacated the shallows making sampling difficult. Fishing should be better as the 2005 fish are nearing 20 inches with good numbers of the 2001 stocking still available.
