OUTDOOR CORNER: A MAP IS A HANDY ITEM WHEN STREAM FISHING FOR BASS

Last week in this column Fisheries Management Specialist, Scott Miller, discussed some of the excellent stream fishing opportunities to be found in southeast Missouri. This week, as a follow-up, we are going to delve into some of the fishing regulations that apply on those streams.

In addition to that, we will discuss that "Big Stream" otherwise known as the Mississippi River.

With regard to stream fishing regulations, we are going to be talking primarily about fishing for black bass. The term black bass refers to a family of fishes that includes: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted (Kentucky) bass. Please note that the black bass family does not include white bass (known locally as stripers). Therefore, the regulations that we are going to talk about do not apply to white bass/stripers.

A daily limit of six (6) bass and a minimum length limit of twelve (12") inches applies to all black bass caught in streams throughout southeast Missouri. There are some black bass special management areas in other parts of the state. In those areas, special length limits apply. For specific details, consult "The Wildlife Code of Missouri" or "A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations for 1999". Both are available from permit vendors.

Now, let's look at the when and where of stream fishing for black bass in southeast Missouri. In this case, the "when" you can catch (and keep) black bass depends on the "where" you are fishing.

Black bass fishing and possession is open year round in the Mississippi River, all waters north of the south bank of the Missouri River, the St. Francis River downstream from Wappapello Dam and in that portion of southeast Missouri bounded by a line from Cape Girardeau following Missouri highways 74 and 25, U.S. highways 60, 67, and 160, and the west bank of the Little Black River to the Arkansas line. In the rest of the state, black bass from streams may not be possessed from March 1 through May 21.

So, grab a map and make sure of your location before you decide to keep the black bass that you catch in a stream. Many areas that are excellent for catching bass in March, April, and early May will be located in that part of the state where you are required to release all black bass immediately after catching.

Some of the local fishing spots that fall into that category are: Apple Creek, Indian Creek, Block Hole, Diversion Channel (west of state highway 25), Castor River, and both Big and Little Whitewater Rivers.

Now, let's move on to bigger things. In this case, we are referring to the Mississippi River. I don't think anyone would argue that the "Mighty Miss" isn't one mighty big stream. The Mississippi River is a major natural resource that is virtually untapped by recreational users in this area.

I'm sure that one of the major factors in this lack of use is limited public access. Another factor is the fear of getting out on the water and doing something wrong. This is entirely understandable. Because the river is the boundary (state line) between the state of Missouri and the states of Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, there are a wide variety of regulations that apply depending on your exact location on the water. This applies to regulations for boating, hunting and fishing. It can become pretty confusing.

While it would be premature to go into details at this particular time, there may be at least some help on the way.

Recently, personnel from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and their counterparts from the Illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC) have been discussing changes that would create more uniformity of fishing regulations. In other words, making it so that fishermen on the Mississippi River would fall under the same seasons and limits regardless of which state they happened to be in. More on this later.

Speaking of the Mississippi River, you are invited to attend a public workshop dealing with the restoration and protecting of fish and wildlife habitat in the Mississippi River System. A series of 12 workshops will be held with the first one to be offered on Monday, April 5, at the public library, 711 Clark St., Cape Girardeau. An open house is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. and a formal meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee and the National Audubon Society are cooperating on the development of an Atlas of Habitat Restoration and Protection Opportunities for the upper Mississippi River system. (This includes the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Cairo, Illinois, the Illinois River and navigable portions of the Minnesota, St. Croix, Black, and Kaskaskia tributary rivers.)

The atlas will be part of a major report these two well-established conservation organizations will publish in December of 1999. The report will describe how the river has changed over time and what can be done to restore habitat and the natural river processes that sustain the ecological health of this great river. (Watch for a draft of the report on the UMRCC web site soon.)

A series of public workshops have been scheduled to provide new information about the science of river restoration, present maps of current river conditions, and ask people to help answer three questions:

(1) What do you think are significant natural resources in the study area?

2) What do you think are problems or opportunities for habitat restoration and protection in the area?

(3) How would you describe "success" for the natural environment in your area?

Your input will be used to help us complete our maps and report and help shape our recommendations to federal and state agencies, elected officials, and other organizations. We urge you to attend. Detailed maps of current habitat conditions on the river near the community will be available for review and use at each workshop.

Gene Myers is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County.