ANGLERS URGED TO KEEP SMALL BASS AT LAKE WAPPAPELLO

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking anglers at Lake Wappapello to keep small black bass and release big ones.

Too many small bass at the lake in Wayne County are interfering with the small fish's growth. If competition for food could be reduced, said fisheries management biologist Mark Boone, more small bass would grow into large, healthy bass.

He encourages anglers to help by taking home bass less than 11 inches long, up to the legal limit of six daily. Boone also is asking anglers to release bass longer than 12 inches to give them a chance to grow.

"Catch-and-release fishing for larger bass is fun and will help improve the bass population at Wappapello," said Boone. "If enough small, stunted bass are removed and if the larger bass can be protected, the quality of this fishery can be improved."