OUTDOOR CORNER; MASTER ANGLER AWARD RECOGNIZES MEMORABLE FISH

Everyone likes to be recognized for special accomplishments.

Anglers love to show off big fish, or brag about the limit of fish they caught. Just watch the weigh-ins at any bass tournament or the Bass Master Television Show and look for the smiles. Watch any kid who has just caught a fish, any fish; they are probably grinning from ear to ear.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also likes to reward anglers for that special catch. It is called the Master Angler Award. The Master Angler Award Program recognizes the accomplishments of anglers who catch memorable fish in Missouri.

To qualify, fish must meet the minimum length or weight requirements, which have been set for 74 different species, and must be caught by legal methods. To encourage catch and release, only the length is needed to qualify a fish. Each minimum requirement was selected to represent a trophy-sized fish, but give anglers a reasonable chance of achieving.

For example, a largemouth bass must be at least 22 inches long or weigh more than six pounds to qualify. White and black crappie must exceed 15 inches or two pounds. Bluegill, green and redear sunfish, and shadow bass need to be at least 10 inches long or weigh one pound.

Where are some places to try and catch a Master Angler fish?

Most Master Angler largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish come from private ponds and lakes, which are numerous in the area. Keep in mind that you need landowner permission to fish these waters.

Wappapello Lake and Lake Girardeau provide a good chance for a largemouth bass or crappie. Pool #1 at Duck Creek Conservation Area contains large bluegill and redear sunfish, plus some less familiar species such as chain pickerel, bowfin, flier and brown bullhead. The lower Black River, below Clearwater Dam, would be a great choice for walleye. One of the best streams to catch smallmouth bass is the Big River, near Park Hills.

All three species of gar and buffalo, plus spotted bass and blue suckers reside in the lower St. Francis River below Wappapello Dam. The Mississippi River supports many large catfish. In fact, a 103-pound blue catfish was caught recently on a trotline near New Madrid. These are just a few of the species and locations where you have the chance to catch a Master Angler fish.

This program is an excellent way to get kids interested in fishing too. With so many distractions and activities for kids, it's sometimes hard to find time to go fishing or to interest kids in fishing. Maybe the chance for an "award" will spur their interest. Striving to catch a Master Angler fish can be viewed as a challenge, a challenge that can be shared by the entire family.

It also provides the opportunity to teach kids about the outdoor world. To consistently catch fish, an angler must have a pretty good idea about the habits and habitats the fish prefer so they know where to fish. Anglers must also be pretty familiar with the types of food a particular species likes to eat so they will know what kind of bait or lures to use.

Whether you are an adult or youth angler, the Department encourages you to enter your catch so we can acknowledge your achievement.

To apply for a Master Angler Award you must complete an entry form. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and information about the catch. You will not need to have the fish verified by anyone, we trust you to be honest.

Also, the minimum lengths and weights I mentioned earlier are listed on the back of the entry form, which can be obtained from any Missouri Department of Conservation office. Complete and mail in the form, then a short time later, you will receive your Master Angler Award certificate suitable for framing. Then you or your child can smile and claim to be a Master Angler.

Mark Boone is a fisheries management biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.