OUTDOOR CORNER: FISHING CAN BE HOT, EVEN WHEN IT'S COLD

This time of year most sportsmen are concentrating on hunting or trapping, not fishing.

Once September arrives, we see a dramatic drop in fishing pressure on both lakes and streams in Southeast Missouri. If you've already put your fishing gear away, you're missing some great opportunities.

In streams, the black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) season is open until Feb. 28, 2001. In most streams, the black bass minimum length limit is 12 inches with a daily limit of six. In Ten-mile Creek, just west of Poplar Bluff, a special smallmouth bass management area has been established. In this stream, all smallmouth bass less than 15 inches must be released. The daily bag limit is six black bass, but only one may be a smallmouth bass.

We've just completed extensive smallmouth bass sampling on the Big River and Upper Black River. In both rivers, we found good numbers of bass greater than 12 inches, including several trophy sized (over 18 inches) fish.

Because the river levels are low and water temperatures are cool, the bass are concentrated in the deeper pools. Due to the colder water temperatures, you may have to slow down your lure presentation. I prefer to use minnows, which can be easily caught using a seine or a minnow trap.

Both the Big River and Upper Black River can be fished from a canoe. Depending upon river levels, you probably won't have drag the canoe through many riffles. Ten-mile Creek is primarily a wade fishing stream, which at this time of the year makes a good set of chest waders essential.

Anglers will primarily catch smallmouth bass, but a few largemouth bass are also present. Approximately 10 percent of the smallmouth bass are larger than 15 inches.

If you're looking for something closer to Cape Girardeau, try the Whitewater River. This is another wade fishing stream that supports a good mix of largemouth, spotted bass and smallmouth bass. A good place to start fishing is at the Old Plantation Access, just west of Millersville on County Road 485.

Gigging season is also open. Gigging is legal on streams and impounded waters between sunrise and midnight between Sept. 15 and Jan. 31. Anglers can gig only nongame fish, which includes suckers, carp, buffalo, drum and gar. The daily limit is 20 fish.

The basic equipment needed for a gigging trip include a gig, lights and a boat. A good gig is made out of tempered steel so the prongs wont bend when you hit rocks. A 10- to 15-foot handle is necessary because a lot of the gigging action takes place in the deep pools.

Lights come in many shapes and styles. Most people use a generator and several halogen lights. I have an eight-mantle light, which runs off a small propane tank. I prefer the gas light because it is quiet and it keeps the gigger warm on cold nights.

A 14-foot Jon boat is perfect for gigging. It is relatively stable and light enough to pull over riffles. A waste high rail on the front deck is also a must. Lastly, don't forget to wear a life jacket at all times.

For complete details on fishing regulations, consult the "2000 Missouri Fishing Regulations" brochure which is available at permit vendors. Additional information on streams in Missouri can be found in the "2000 Fishing Prospects at Selected Missouri Lakes and Streams" brochure which is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation office at 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (290-5730).

Paul Cieslewicz is a fisheries management biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.