Fishing
The Missouri River is opening up some very good fishing opportunities
this last month. After the recent rains and the raise in the river for
the barge traffic, the river levels look more like they should for this
time of the year. Several local fishermen have caught their limit of
channel cat in the last couple weeks. The fish aren’t as aggressive
or as big as they are in the summer’s warmer waters. So you have to
be patient and catch them on the downbeat as they tap on your line.
Lighter tackle is almost a must to realize that the fish are even biting
at all. I recommend lighter weights and hooks on your rig too. They
seem to mouth your bait a lot, instead of just swallowing it. Many times
you’ll find that you’re catching them in the lip more than deeper in
the mouth. Other species are also hitting pretty regular also, the sturgeon,
carp, & skipjack herring. So it seems you have plenty of action
even if it isn’t something your going to take home. The Bait of choice
is night crawlers, with fair action on dough & stink baits. And
I have had some reports of Big Blue Cat being landed on live bait just
of late. So that’s good news, makes you want to get some bait and go
get your line wet.
This month’s fishing picture is Jackie Whisler with a Shovelnose Sturgeon.
Mushroom Hunting
It’s that time of the year again! Morel Mushroom harvesting! The hunting
season that’s not listed on The Game & Parks Web Page. And is very
popular in our area and you don’t even need a hunting permit. Mushroom
Season! ‘Morel Mushrooms’ that is. Morel Mushrooms grow wild along the
Missouri River Bottom and the Missouri River Bluffs. And provide a tasty
treat this time of year. The course sponge looking Morels must have
the right amount of heat and the right amount of moisture to pop. You
usual find them near the edge of timbers first and you may have to do
a little walking to find a mess. But soon (within a week or so) you
find them most everywhere you look. If there is one thing for sure “You
can’t beat fresh mushrooms!” Morels in our area are found earlier on
the bottom ground near the river and in a couple of weeks later they
show up in the hills (bluffs) and slowly after a week or so they are
no longer found anywhere. Thus Mushroom Season is closed and then comes
the long wait till next year. For years there has been a local race
to find the first mushrooms of the year. The race is not over until
they’re displayed (proudly) at local gathering places. Thus the only
reward is the gloating but it’s well worth it to some (That’s a whole
year of gloating now!). The truth is, you can talk about them all you
want but until it’s on film it’s just a story. I caught Jamie Reeves
on film with his bounty.
This month’s hunting pictures are of Jamie Reeves with his Morel Mushrooms.
Hunting
Spring Turkey Seasons is here. Our unit (East
Missouri) has unlimited permits this year. There is an early and a late
season again this year. So plan accordingly. The hens are out wondering
around so that means they are laying. Which in turn means that the Toms
are looking for hens – that’s where the hunter comes in. The basic call
to call in a Tom is a hen call because it’s breeding season – make since
now why the hens out wondering around is a good thing for the turkey
hunter? So sharpen up on your call and give it a try – the
time is now.
Units
Youth Shotgun Statewide
|
April 9-May 22 |
| East Missouri Early |
April 16-April 24 |
| East Missouri Late |
April 25-May 22 |
| West |
April 16-May 22 |
| Archery Statewide |
March 25-May 22 |
|
