If you have a business, resort, service, or dealership in the  Southwest Region you should advertise here.  We know there are countless options for advertising in the Southwest Region, but you won't find a more cost effective way to get your name before the Missouri sporting public that the MSIN.   Maps JAMES RIVER FISH KILL STORY

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Fellows Lake (Southwest Region, in cooperation with Springfield City Utilities) Information: (417) 895-6880 Fellows Lake, located just north of Springfield, offers diverse, close-to-home fishing opportunities. While higher than normal water levels during spring 2005 made sampling problematic, inundated timber and vegetation provided adequate spawning and nursery habitat for near-shore spawning species. Largemouth bass fishing should remain fair to good during 2006. Population data indicates that approximately 21% of bass are >15". This represents an increase in the proportion of quality sized fish since 2002. A 12-15" protected slot length limit helps provide excellent catch-and-release fishing. Fish attractors, constructed from deciduous trees, continue to provide good areas to catch fish. Selected brush structures were replenished in 2004 and 2005. For a detailed contour map and brush pile locations, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation (417/895-6880). Muskie fishing should be fair to good in 2006 as sampling data indicate that 25% of the population is >36" (legal harvest size). Expect best fishing success on overcast, rainy days during the fall or early spring months when water temperature is below 70¡F. Fish large spinners, bucktails, or plugs near brush structure or weed beds. Muskie are occasionally caught as anglers fish for largemouth bass. Carefully handling both sub-legal and legal muskie at the water’s edge will increase their chances for survival. Channel catfish remain abundant throughout the lake and commonly run from 8-19". Preferred baits include chicken livers, nightcrawlers, prepared baits, and cutbait. Walleye and crappie anglers should expect fair fishing success in 2006. Walleye can be caught fishing gravel points in the spring, the backs of coves in the summer using crappie jigs, nightcrawlers, or minnows, and trolling deep-diving crankbaits across main lake points. The minimum length limit for walleye is 15". Minnows and tube jigs are the preferred baits for crappie anglers in and around brush piles and vegetation. Spring will provide the best opportunity for catching quality (10-13") fish. Both white and black crappie are present with most fish ranging from 7-9". Bluegill fishing will be fair this year but most will range from 3-5". Quality sized bluegill (>6") make up approximately 12% of the population. Small pieces of worms and a bobber make an excellent rig for children to catch this species. Numerous redear sunfish were collected during spring sampling. They will provide the opportunity to battle a larger sunfish species. Springfield City Utilities owns Fellows Lake and requires an annual boat permit. Boat motors are limited to 40 horsepower or less. A disabled user accessible fishing dock is located on the northeast arm of the lake, and a 2-lane boat ramp with disabled access and courtesy dock is located at the marina area.      Preferred baits include chicken livers, nightcrawlers and prepared baits. Crappie anglers should expect fair fishing success in 2002. Although fishing success will be fair, most of the crappie caught will range from 7-9". Anglers still have an opportunity to catch quality (10-13") crappie, especially during the spring. Minnows and tube jigs are the preferred baits. During the summer, try crappie fishing around the coontail (aquatic vegetation) beds. Both white and black crappie are present. Redear sunfish, a species often overlooked, commonly reach 10". Try earthworms or grubs over spawning beds during May or June. Bluegill fishing will be fair this year, and most will range between 3 and 5". Small pieces of worm and a bobber will still provide considerable fun for the younger set. Springfield City Utilities owns Fellows Lake and requires an annual boat permit. Boat motors are limited to  40-horsepower or less. A disabled user accessible fishing dock is located on the northeast arm of the lake, and a new, two lane boat ramp with disabled access should be constructed and ready for use during the 2002 fishing season. Report from MDC Raymond Hobbs of Springfield measured 17" weight was only 1 pound, 8 ounces Lake Springfield Back to Missouri Lake List   Take HWY 65 north from Springfield to Hwy AA(take a left). About a mile you will hit farm road 197, take a right. About a mile you'll cross a land bridge across the upper end of the lake. Road swings around a big curve to the left. Handicapped fishing dock right on the curve. After the curve go about 3/4 of a mile, just past a church the marina turn off is on top of the next hill, turn left.  Tera Server Map Link

Lake information courtesy of Jess "Wolfman"
 

James River paddlefish wind up in hot water
The Conservation Department searches for answers to fish kill.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Hot weather and a drop in the water level in the James River below Lake Springfield contributed to the death of 88 paddlefish, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

An angler alerted the Conservation Department June 4 after seeing dead paddlefish, some of them four feet long, around the Missouri Department of Conservation's Tailwaters Access just below Lake Springfield's dam. Besides the paddlefish, which ranged from 37 to 48 inches measured from the eye
to the fork of the tail, fisheries biologists found approximately 100 other dead fish of other species, including black bass and catfish. They said evidence points to a combination of contributing factors. Hot weather was the primary factor in the kill, according to Conservation Department Fisheries Regional Supervisor Chris Vitello.

The City of Springfield uses water from the lake to cool its electric generating plant. Paddlefish swim upstream to spawn in the spring, congregating below dams and other manmade barriers. Normally, paddlefish would swim back downstream to escape adverse conditions, but a drop in the river's level
trapped them as water temperatures rose, and dissolved oxygen levels fell.

"This is an unusual set of circumstances," said Vitello. "It's late in the season to have paddlefish up by the dam, and early in the year to have such hot weather. Plus, the fish didn't have anyplace to go. Without any one of those factors, we probably wouldn't have had a fish kill."

Vitello said his staff, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and City Utilities of Springfield continue to monitor the river for further problems. He said the James River is one of the few streams where the paddlefish survives, thanks to captive rearing and regular stocking. He said the Conservation Department sustains paddlefish, a fish species that otherwise would disappear in Missouri. The economic value of the fish to Missouri as a popular sport and tourist attraction equals hundreds of thousands of dollars to Missouri's economy. He said he hopes a change in weather will help stabilize conditions for the fish in the affected area.

"Fortunately, recent rain and cooler temperatures have helped the current situation by lowering the water temperature," said Conservation Department Fisheries Division Administrator Norm Stucky. "Hot weather over the next few days could cause additional paddlefish deaths due to higher water temperatures and lower oxygen levels. While we wait and search for answers, we are working with City Utilities to stop preventable deaths. We are all hoping for cooler weather to help prevent further loss to the fishery."

The Conservation Department is working with DNR and City Utilities of Springfield to discover the short-term cause for the recent kill and to develop long-term solutions to prevent future problems. "We've had a good relationship with City Utilities for many years and this relationship has resulted in many cooperative efforts, including Community Assistance Program facilities at Lake Springfield and Fellows Lake," Vitello said. "We're working together with City Utilities and DNR to remedy this current situation."

"Our primary goal will be to ensure that fish and wildlife are reasonably protected from harm. We want to help businesses find measures that will efficiently produce energy while minimizing damage to Missouri's fisheries," said Stucky.