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 temperat...