Angling opportunities still plentiful

Bass fishing season remains open in Ozark streams until February, and gigging season is open until Jan. 31.

This time of year, most sportsmen are thinking about doves, teal or archery deer hunting, not fishing.

If you've put your fishing gear away, you're missing some great opportunities.

In Ozark streams, the black bass -- largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass -- season is open until Feb. 28, 2006.

In most streams, the black bass minimum length limit is 12 inches with a daily limit of six.

In Tenmile Creek, just west of Poplar Bluff, Mo., a special smallmouth bass management area has been established. In this stream, all smallmouth bass less than 15 inches must be released. The daily bag limit is six black bass, but only one may be a smallmouth bass. Tenmile Creek is a wade-fishing stream.

Anglers primarily will catch smallmouth bass, but a few largemouth bass also are present.

If you're looking for a wade-fishing stream closer to Cape Girardeau, try the Castor River upstream of Highway 34 or the Whitewater River in near Millersville.

This section of the Castor River supports good smallmouth bass and rock bass populations. You can access this river at several bridge crossings or at the Department of Conservation Marquand Access.

The Whitewater River has a good mix of largemouth, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass. A good place to start fishing is at the Old Plantation Access, just west of Millersville on County Road 485.

If you have a canoe or kayak, you may want to try the upper Black River, St. Francis River or the lower Castor River.

For a full-day trip, float the Black River from Lesterville Access to Highway K or the St. Francis River from Coldwater Access to Sam Baker State Park.

For a half-day float, anglers should try the Castor River from Sweetgum Access to Maple Flats Access.

All three of these streams support good black bass populations.

Gigging season is also open. Gigging is legal on streams and impounded waters between sunrise and midnight between Sept. 15 and Jan. 31. The best gigging is later in season when it turns cold. Anglers can gig only nongame fish, which includes suckers, carp, buffalo, drum and gar. The daily limit is 20 fish.

The basic equipment needed for a gigging trip include a gig, lights and a boat. A good gig is made out of tempered steel so the prongs don't bend when you hit rocks. A 10- to 15-foot handle is necessary because a lot of the gigging action takes place in the deep pools.

Lights come in many shapes and styles. Most people use a generator and several halogen lights. I have an eight-mantle light, which runs off a small propane tank. I prefer the gas light because it is quiet and it keeps the gigger warm on cold nights. A 14-foot Jon boat is perfect for gigging. It is relatively stable and light enough to pull over riffles. A waste high rail on the front deck is also a must. Lastly, don't forget to wear a life jacket at all times.

For complete details on fishing regulations, consult the 2005 Missouri Fishing Regulations brochure, which is available at permit vendors. Additional information on streams in Missouri can be found in the 2005 Fishing Prospects at Selected Missouri Lakes and Streams brochure which is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation office at 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Paul Cieslewicz is a fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.