OUTDOOR CORNER: STREAM FISHING ENTERS PRIME TIME

The sounds of singing birds and the scent of fresh cut grass are signs that spring has arrived in Southeast Missouri.

These signs mark the beginning of spring fishing which can be the most productive time of year for catching several kinds of fish. Lakes and streams are coming alive as fish begin feeding in preparation for upcoming spawns. Spring fishing is productive in both lakes and stream. However, stream fishing can offer a little more diversity in types of fish to be caught.

We have several streams in the Cape Girardeau Area that provide high quality fishing for a variety of species.

* Apple Creek is located approximately 20 miles north of Cape Girardeau, and runs west to east along the Perry/Cape County line. Public access can be found at Apple Creek Conservation Area, located off Highway CC, approximately 2 miles east of the Mississippi River. Apple Creek has a good population of crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Minnows, jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, large-bladed spinners for bass and scented baits for catfish are effective in the spring. These species can be caught year round, but the next few months will provide the best fishing of the year. Spring is the time to catch walleye and white bass, which run up Apple Creek to spawn.

* Indian Creek is located along the north edge of Trail of Tears State Park. Indian Creek has a nice population of largemouth bass. Longear sunfish and bluegill are also quite prevalent in Indian Creek. A lesser known secret about Indian Creek are the white bass and walleye runs in early spring. Fish the lower section in the next month to increase your chances of catching a walleye. I have also heard of flathead catfish being caught on with limblines.

* The Block Hole on the Diversion Channel provides good year round fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, drum, bowfin and catfish. The Block Hole is a highly regarded for walleye, crappie and white bass over the next two months. Rattle traps, spinners, or minnows are popular baits. The Block Hole is an undeveloped access in Cape Girardeau County, off Highway U, approximately 1/4 mile east of the junction with Hwy N and T. Although, with considerable effort, small boats can be carried to the waters edge, Block Hole is suited more for bank fishing.

* Headwaters Access is located approximately 15 miles downstream from Block Hole, east of I-55 on Highway 74. The Diversion Channel at Headwaters Access is a productive year round fishery for largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, channel catfish and flathead catfish. Crappie are very prevalent in this area, with the next two months providing the best fishing. Bowfishing for carp has become increasingly popular on the Diversion Channel.

* High quality smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fishing can be found 15 miles from Cape Girardeau at Old Plantation Access on the Whitewater River. Old Plantation Access is located off of Highway 72 on County Road 385. This area marks the transition zone between smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass can be found in good numbers upstream from the access, while largemouth are very prevalent downstream. Master Angler size smallmouth (>17") are present.

Minnows seined from the stream are excellent bass bait. Goggle-eye are common upstream from the access. Longear sunfish are easy to catch with worms, crickets, or small minnows. The river supports an excellent channel catfish population. Chicken liver, minnows, or nightcrawlers fished near rootwads, logs and boulders should be very effective.

Spring is a great time of year to enjoy the out of doors. All of nature seems to come alive after several months of winter hibernation. Before gardening season is shifted into high gear, I plan to enjoy the splendor of spring with a few trips to my favorite streams. Enjoy a cup of natures coffee -- "Wake up to spring."

Scott Miller is a fisheries management specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.