SQUIRREL, STREAM BLACK BASS SEASONS

JEFFERSON CITY -- Squirrel season and stream black bass fishing is now open in Missouri.

The Saturday before Memorial Day is the traditional opening day for both squirrel hunting and stream bass fishing. Hunters may take up to six squirrels daily and can possess up to 12. Regulations for bass fishing are more extensive.

The Missouri Wildlife Code divides the state into two areas for the purposes of stream bass fishing. Anglers may catch and keep largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass (collectively called black bass) year-round in streams north of the southern bank of the Missouri River. The also can keep black bass throughout the year from the Mississippi River, the St. Francis River downstream from Wappapello Dam and in that part of Southeast Missouri bounded by a line from Cape Girardeau following Missouri Highways 74 and 25, U.S. Highways 60 and 160, and the west bank of the Little Black River to the Arkansas state line.

In the remainder of the state, no black bass may be taken or possessed in the unimpounded (free-flowing) parts of any stream from March 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) also has established special black bass stream management areas on three streams:

--The Big Piney River from Slabtown Access to Ross Access;

--The Meramec River from Scott's Ford to the railroad crossing at Bird's Nest; and

--Big River from Mammoth Road bridge to Brown's Ford Road bridge.

In these areas, the daily creel limit for black bass is six, including not more than one smallmouth. All smallmouths less than 15 inches long must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught in special black bass management areas.

In other areas, the daily creel limit on black bass is six largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass in the aggregate. The possession limit is 12. In most streams outside the special management areas, anglers must release black bass smaller than 12 inches in total length. However, there is no length limit on spotted bass (also known as Kentucky bass) on the Big River downstream from the Highway 21 bridge.

To cash in on the spotted bass bonus, anglers must learn to tell the three black bass species apart. Largemouth and spotted bass have a dark horizontal stripe down the middle of their sides. Smallmouths don't. Instead, their backs and flanks are brownish, often with vertical stripes that have earned them the nickname "tiger bass." Spotted and largemouth bass are greenish in color.

When the mouth of the largemouth bass is closed, the rear corner extends well behind the eye. This is not true of either the spotted or smallmouth bass. Spotted bass are further distinguished from largemouths by the presence of a rough patch on their tongues. Most largemouth bass lack this tooth patch.

Finally, spotted bass have horizontal rows of dark spots along their lower sides. These spots are absent on largemouths and smallmouths.

These characteristics are outlined on signs posted at access sites on the Big River. You can receive a free black bass identification brochure by writing to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Fisheries Division, "Black Bass," P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180.

Warm-weather squirrel hunting offers special challenges and rewards. It also requires special caution. With all the foliage on trees at this time of year, it is especially important for hunters to be sure of their targets. It is easy to lose track of hunting partners, and that can spell disaster.

Wearing hunter-orange clothing is a proven way to prevent accidents in which hunters are mistaken for game or caught in the line of fire of other hunters. But hunters share the woods with hikers, photographers and many others who may not wear protective colors. Caution in identifying targets and choosing a safe line of fire is a good way to avoid accidents.