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: 76 degrees, normal, clear; black bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits; bluegill fair; channel catfish fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 68 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics and topwater lures during low light periods; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; redear sunfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Cypress Lake: 71 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; largemouth bass good on minnows and jigs, plastic worms and crankbaits in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms, crickets and stinkbait in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 75 degrees, high, clear; bluegill good on crickets; largemouth bass fair on spinners; bowfin good on cut bait; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets; largemouth bass fair on soft plastic worms; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Perry County Lake: 72 degrees, clear; crappie fair on jigs; black bass fair on spinnerbaits; redear sunfish good on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: 74 degrees, normal, bluegill fair on crickets close to the bank; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 70 degrees, low, 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 and worms; 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 5/3/2012)

RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, low, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye good on tube baits and live minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 71 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait and stinkbait; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; black bass good on jigs and minnows (season closed, catch and release only until May 26th); white bass fair on jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/3/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): rising, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on beef liver and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

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 fair. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 70 degrees, normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers; all other species slow. (Report made on 5/2/2012)

Photo Above: SMT reader Joe Foster of Essex was proud of his catch during a recent fishing trip. (Photo submitted by Joe Foster - Thanks, Joe!)

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!