Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Steve Wengler of St. Louis became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River using a rod and reel.
The new “pole and line” record skipjack herring caught by Wengler on April 17 weighed 2-pounds, 5-ounces. It broke the previous state-record of 1-pound, 14-ounces. Wengler was using two 1/8-ounce white and chartreuse jigs to catch the skipjack herring. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Defiance.
“The skipjack put up a pretty good fight, but I got it in as fast as I could because I didn’t want to lose the nice fish,” he said. “Once I got it in, I had an idea that I had caught the state record, but wasn’t sure until I put it on the scale.”
Anglers often catch skipjack herring to use for bait. The fish is boney, lacking in flavor, and is seldom used as food. But it fights spectacularly when hooked and can provide considerable sport on light tackle. The oil present in its flesh is said by fishermen to attract catfish. Skipjacks can usually be found in swift water below dams and around the ends of wing dikes.
“2016 is shaping up to be a big year for state record fish in Missouri,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “We have already had nine new records so far, which is more than an entire year sometimes. The mild weather we have had so far this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.”
Wengler added that he intentionally tried catching a state-record skipjack herring.
“I’m really thrilled to have caught a fish like this,” he said. “I’m really glad I was able to get my name in the record books. My plan now is to get back on the water and go after many more records.”
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
James Lucas of O’Fallon recently snagged a state-record skipjack herring under the “alternative methods” category on the Mississippi River on April 8 that weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches.
Dexter, Missouri - Declaring Dexter's participation in the States May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown a major success, Dexter Police reported 1 fugitive was apprehended and 36 citations were made during the enforcement period, which ran from May 5-16, 2016.
“I am proud of our Officers for their hard work and dedication to making our region’s roadways safer,” said Lieutenant Benton. “Substance-Impaired driving is more than a reckless choice by a few individuals,” He said. “Each year, impaired driving cost the lives of thousands on America’s highways. “There were 178 people killed and 605 seriously injured in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driving involved fatality every two days” A substance-impaired driver less than 21 years of age was involved in 17 of the fatalities and 58 of the serious injuries.
During May 1 – 12, 2015, four (4) people were killed and eighteen (18) seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). Dexter Police joined forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country in this year’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Dexter Police Department’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign a Success
Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Dan Schmitz of Jefferson City became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a river redhorse on Tavern Creek using a rod and reel.
The new “pole and line” record river redhorse caught by Schmitz on April 15 weighed 9-pounds, 13-ounces. It broke the previous state-record pole-and-line river redhorse of 9-pound, 10-ounces caught on the Osage River in 2006. Schmitz was using worms when he caught the fish. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Jefferson City.
“I fought the fish for about ten minutes before I got it to the bank,” said Schmitz. “I knew the fish was pretty big, but I didn’t know it was a state record until talking to MDC. I really can’t believe I caught a fish like this! I’m not a master angler. I’m just a hobby fisherman who loves to fish. I’m super excited to have the honor to be a state-record holder.”
River redhorse fish are a part of the sucker family. They are a moderately chubby, coarse-scaled fish with a dorsal fin containing 12 or 13 rays. These fish are can be found mostly throughout the Ozarks.
Schmitz’s fish also beats the current world record. While the river redhorse does get much larger, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) only recognizes fish taken by pole and line.
“Larger river redhorses are usually taken by gigging and do not qualify for the IGFA world record,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and this new unique record clearly shows why. This fish could be the largest river redhorse ever taken with a pole and line.”
Schmitz added it’s hard to believe he may be a world-record holder.
“I just can’t believe it! One day I’m fishing for fun and the next I could be a world-record holder,” he said. “I’m still in disbelief.”
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
Congratulations to Jason Reynolds on breaking the state record by catching a 2-pound, 11-ounce spotted bass on Truman Lake.
WARSAW, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Jason Reynolds of Warsaw became the most recent record-setting angler in Missouri when he hooked a spotted bass on Truman Lake on a jug line. The new “alternative method” record spotted bass, caught by Reynolds on May 11 weighed 2-pounds, 11-ounces with a length of 17 1/2 inches. Reynolds was using bluegill for bait to try to catch catfish, but instead caught a state-record spotted bass.
“I really can’t believe I caught a state--record fish,” Reynolds said. “I almost released the fish right after I got it in the boat, but I didn’t because it was hooked in the gills and I wanted to make sure it was going to live before I released it.”
Reynolds added that once MDC confirmed he broke a state-record he was in shock.
“I have fished all my life and caught some pretty nice fish, but I would have never thought I would have a state-record with my name on it,” he said. “I’m so grateful and proud to have caught that fish.”
MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in at Lost Valley Fish Hatchery in Warsaw.
Reynolds noted he gave the spotted bass to staff at the hatchery so they could help nurse the fish back to its healthy self.
“I was hoping to release the spotted bass back into Truman Lake, but the fish didn’t make it,” he said. “So now I am going to mount it and put on my wall.”
Reynolds’ recent catch broke the previous state-record spotted bass by almost 1 pound in the alternative methods category. This state record fish is the 12th fishing record broken this year.
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
Dexter, Missouri - Police Chief Sammy Stone, commanding officer of the Dexter Police Department, announces the results of a DWI checkpoint conducted in Dexter Missouri, beginning at 10 p.m. on May 20th, 2016, and ending at 1230 a.m. on May 21st, 2016. During the operation,
Officers were assigned to conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Missouri State Highway 25 at the intersection of Business Highway 60 in Dexter MO. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Southeast Missouri DWI Task Force assisted in the sobriety check point. In total, Officers made 2 arrests, 1 for possession of marijuana and 1 for driving while revoked/suspended 2nd or more, during the checkpoint. The results are as follows for other charges cited during the operation:
1--Child Restraint violation
3--Driving while suspended/no valid driver’s license
3--No operator's license
5--Uninsured motorists
3--Other Non-HMV Violations
A total of 360 vehicles were checked during the operation. Police Chief Sammy Stone said, "Making every attempt possible to remove intoxicated drivers from the roadways, is a top priority of the members of the Dexter Police Department. We feel that this is a vital part of our commitment to the citizens of Dexter, to ensure their safe travels on our roadways as we continue to protect and serve the public. The members of the Dexter Police Department will continue to pursue this goal.”
The Dexter Police Department urges all citizens to report any vehicle they observe operating in a careless manner to their local authorities. The public can contact the Dexter Police Department at 573-624-5512.
