Spring Time Paddlefish Snagging
Water temperatures are beginning to warm up. Snaggers have been having success on lower Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks, and we’ve seen a few fish move up the Marais des Cygnes River. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the state’s major paddlefish snagging waters include Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, and Table Rock Lake. The paddlefish snagging season for these and most other waters in the state runs March 15 through April 30. Since snagging success depends on the weather, we're sharing with you some insight on how the spring weather could affect your snagging experience as well as some things you need to remember.
Snagging is Dependent on Weather
Snagging is very dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. When water temperatures reach 50–55F and flow increases, paddlefish migrate upstream to spawn. Early in the season harvest is primarily made up of “local” fish, smaller males and immature females. As water temperature and flow increase, the fish will move upstream in the reservoir or river. Males make spawning migrations before females, with more females showing up when water temperatures are 55F and greater.
If we get a dry spring without much rain, snagging may not be as good as it has been in the past, and the fish will tend to remain lower in the reservoirs or rivers. On the other hand, if we have a very wet spring, fish will move up higher in the reservoirs or rivers. In some areas snagging may be very difficult or hazardous if flooding occurs. During flooding events paddlefish will move out of the heavy flows to wait for flows to come down. When lakes and rivers are rising due to heavy rain, logs and other debris can float downstream, and boaters need to be careful.
With the nice spring days, we’re seeing an increase in water temperature. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s on upper Truman Lake and upper 40’s on Lake of the Ozarks. The Truman Lake water level is coming up since they have not been releasing water at Truman Dam. Lake of the Ozarks as fallen slightly, with minimal releases at Bagnell Dam. The very Lower Osage River is up with flood waters on the Missouri River backed up into the Lower Osage. When flooding on the Missouri River comes down, they will begin releasing more water at both Truman and Bagnell Dams. They are calling for releases from Truman Dam this weekend. However, the extended forecast is calling for more rain, so no telling what we will see – it will depend on how much rain we get.
Things to Remember when Snagging
Per the snagging regulations put in place by the Missouri Department of Conservation, here are a few things you need to remember when you hit the water:
Your Expert Source for Brush Pile Fishing and More!
It's a great time to get out on the water and get some snagging in! If you've never been, you've never experienced the exhilaration that comes with the sport. If you fish at the Lake of the Ozarks, or anywhere else for that matter, and you aren’t a member at BassingBob.com yet, you're missing out on some super sweet benefits. Worried about cost? Don't be! With different levels of memberships, we make our memberships as economical as possible by enabling members to subscribe to the platforms that cover their interests. When it comes to one source of information for bass fishing, Bassing Bob is it!
Snagging is Dependent on Weather
Snagging is very dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. When water temperatures reach 50–55F and flow increases, paddlefish migrate upstream to spawn. Early in the season harvest is primarily made up of “local” fish, smaller males and immature females. As water temperature and flow increase, the fish will move upstream in the reservoir or river. Males make spawning migrations before females, with more females showing up when water temperatures are 55F and greater.
If we get a dry spring without much rain, snagging may not be as good as it has been in the past, and the fish will tend to remain lower in the reservoirs or rivers. On the other hand, if we have a very wet spring, fish will move up higher in the reservoirs or rivers. In some areas snagging may be very difficult or hazardous if flooding occurs. During flooding events paddlefish will move out of the heavy flows to wait for flows to come down. When lakes and rivers are rising due to heavy rain, logs and other debris can float downstream, and boaters need to be careful.
With the nice spring days, we’re seeing an increase in water temperature. Water temperatures are in the low 50’s on upper Truman Lake and upper 40’s on Lake of the Ozarks. The Truman Lake water level is coming up since they have not been releasing water at Truman Dam. Lake of the Ozarks as fallen slightly, with minimal releases at Bagnell Dam. The very Lower Osage River is up with flood waters on the Missouri River backed up into the Lower Osage. When flooding on the Missouri River comes down, they will begin releasing more water at both Truman and Bagnell Dams. They are calling for releases from Truman Dam this weekend. However, the extended forecast is calling for more rain, so no telling what we will see – it will depend on how much rain we get.
Things to Remember when Snagging
Per the snagging regulations put in place by the Missouri Department of Conservation, here are a few things you need to remember when you hit the water:
- Unless exempt, anglers must have a current fishing permit to snag or to operate a boat for snaggers.
- Once two legal-sized paddlefish are caught, they must be kept by the snagger and included in their daily limit. The daily limit is two paddlefish and snaggers must stop snagging after obtaining the daily limit on Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake and their tributaries, and the Osage River below the U.S. Highway 54 bridge.
- The minimum legal length for paddlefish at Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Table Rock Lake, and their tributaries is 34 inches, measured from the eye to the fork of the tail. The minimum legal length is 24 inches on the Osage River below Bagnell Dam and in other Missouri waters. All paddlefish under the legal minimum length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.
- The Wildlife Code of Missouri requires the head, tail, and skin to remain attached to all paddlefish while on the water, so paddlefish should not be cleaned until off the water. Also, extracted paddlefish eggs may not be possessed while on waters of the state or adjacent banks and may not be transported. Paddlefish eggs may not be bought, sold or offered for sale. Additionally, paddlefish or their parts, including eggs, may not be used for bait.
Your Expert Source for Brush Pile Fishing and More!
It's a great time to get out on the water and get some snagging in! If you've never been, you've never experienced the exhilaration that comes with the sport. If you fish at the Lake of the Ozarks, or anywhere else for that matter, and you aren’t a member at BassingBob.com yet, you're missing out on some super sweet benefits. Worried about cost? Don't be! With different levels of memberships, we make our memberships as economical as possible by enabling members to subscribe to the platforms that cover their interests. When it comes to one source of information for bass fishing, Bassing Bob is it!
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