OUTDOOR CORNER: WALLEYE ARE NOT JUST FOR WATERS UP NORTH ANYMORE

Hey, does anybody want to go walleye fishing? No, I'm not talking about a Canadian fishing trip. I'm not even talking about going to Wisconsin or Minnesota. I'm talking about fishing in southeast Missouri. That's right, walleye fishing in southeast Missouri. The Black River, from Clearwater Dam near Piedmont to Poplar Bluff, offers an opportunity to fish for walleye.

The Department of Conservation is in the process of evaluating the Black River walleye fishery. Fish population surveys were conducted during March 1995 and 1996. What has been learned so far? Walleye are common from Clearwater Dam to Poplar Bluff, but the greatest concentration occurs in the first few miles below Clearwater Dam. The majority of walleye are 12 to 18 inches long, with a few up to 33 inches (16 pounds). Walleye growth is good, averaging 18 inches in three years.

Biologists also want to determine the extent of the walleye harvest and their movement. Nearly 300 walleye have been tagged. The tags are either yellow or white, and look like a three-inch piece of spaghetti placed near the fin on the back. Anglers that return tags to the Department of Conservation will receive reward money for their efforts. Tags are worth either $5, $20 or $100 and include identification number and an address where to send the tag.

During the fall and winter, fish for walleye by vertical jigging or drifting minnows in deep pools. Also try fishing the runs (shallow areas with fast-moving water) with minnows, nightcrawlers or curly-tailed grubs any time of the year. Fishing the runs should be most productive in March when walleye move into these areas to spawn.

Anglers should know the walleye fishing regulations. There is no length limit and the daily limit is four walleye or sauger (a `cousin' of the walleye). From Feb. 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

There are several access sites where anglers can launch boats on the Black River. Concrete boat ramps are located below Clearwater Dam, Markham Springs, Halliard Access and Sportsman's Park near Poplar Bluff.

Safety is always important, especially when boating on a river. Shallow water, underwater obstructions, and strong currents can be dangerous. The water velocity and river stage will depend primarily on the amount of water being released from Clearwater Dam. Be careful and always wear a life jacket.

Let's switch gears now and talk about the St. Francis River. Did you know that there used to be walleye in the upper St. Francis River? Walleye were present until the 1970s. In fact, the former state record walleye came from the St. Francis River. It weighted 20.5 pounds and was caught in July 1961. Reasons for the decline of the walleye might be the construction of Wappapello Dam, a possible period of poor water quality, or extensive harvest.

There is good news, however. The Department of Conservation is attempting to restore walleye to the St. Francis River above Wappapello Lake. Each May for the next three years, 50,000 two-inch walleye fingerlings will be stocked in the river. They will be released from Highway 72 in Madison County to Highway 34 in Wayne County. The fingerling walleye that will be released this year were spawned from adults collected from the Black River.

Protection of the walleye will be vital to the successful restoration of the walleye population. Therefore, walleye harvest will not be permitted in Wappapello Lake or the St. Francis River and tributaries above Wappapello Dam until a self-sustaining walleye population develops, possibly by the year 2001.

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