In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, until that date all black bass in those streams must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. For details see Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal for all portions.

SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 72 degrees, normal, clear; crappie good on jigs; white bass fair on Road Runners or jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 66 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics; crappie good on red or blue jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Cypress Lake: 73 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 2 - 3' depths, mostly smaller fish being caught right now; bluegill fair on jigs in 2 - 3' depths; largemouth bass fair on minnows and jigs, incidental to crappie fishing, and plastic worms in 2 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbait in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 4/5/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 76 degrees, high, clear; warmouth and redear sunfish good on crickets and jigs; crappie fair on minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and largemouth bass good; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Perry County Lake: 78 degrees, clear; crappie good on jigs; black bass fair on plastic worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/5/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 65 degrees, normal, crappie and black bass fair on jigs; bluegill fair on jigs and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Wappapello Lake: low, black bass fair on crankbaits and plastic worms; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; bluegill fair on crickets and worms along shoreline; channel catfish fair on live bait using jug lines and trotlines at night. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 65 degrees, normal, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 61 degrees, normal, dingy; crappie good on minnows; black bass (season closed until May 26th) fair on minnows and soft plastics; channel catfish fair on worms and live bait; paddlefish and walleye slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): falling, dingy; channel catfish and blue catfish fair on worms, cut bait and stinkbait; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on worms and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): normal, dingy; black bass (season closed until May 26th) fair on minnows and crankbaits; channel catfish good on worms, stinkbait and live bait; crappie good on minnows in backwater sloughs; bluegill good on worms. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 74 degrees, high, dingy; black bass fair on plastic worms and spinnerbaits; channel catfish fair on liver, nightcrawlers and stinkbaits; crappie fair using jigs and minnows; bluegill fair on earthworms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/4/2012)

Anglers are invited to send pictures of their catch to the ShowMe Times - simply email a photo to SMT Sports Editor Andrew Cato, including your name, where the fish was caught, the species of the fish, and - if you care to share - what bait you were using!