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 fair on jigs and minnows; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; bluegill fair on live worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 66 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Cypress Lake: 62 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 2' depths, mostly smaller fish being caught right now; largemouth bass fair on minnows and jigs incidental to crappie fishing, and plastic worms in 1 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbait in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 4/26/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 65 degrees, high, clear; bluegill and warmouth sunfish fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass and chain pickerel fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Perry County Lake: 64 degrees, clear; crappie good on jigs; redear sunfish good on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: normal, crappie fair on jigs and minnows; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 64 degrees, rising, crappie good on minnows and jigs; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; black bass fair on crankbaits and plastic worms; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 60 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on tube baits and live minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/26/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait and cut bait; crappie good on jigs and minnows; black bass good on jigs and minnows (season closed, catch and release only); all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on beef liver and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait; black bass (season closed until May 26th) good on minnows and jigs; redear sunfish good on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 61 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver, large minnows and stinkbaits; crappie fair using chartreuse tube jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

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!