A short respite from what has seemed like an endless onslaught of rain over the last month or more (8.4 inches in Poplar Bluff since Feb. 1) has allowed our local lakes to begin dropping back toward their intended winter pools, but they still have a long way to go.
As of mid-day Wednesday, Wappapello Lake was sitting around 363.5 feet and falling about 10 inches daily. The tailwater discharge of 6,600 cfs is about two thirds of its capability and will keep the St Francis River rocking for a while.
Considering how the Corps tapers the tailwater discharge as the lake level drops, it should take Wappapello about two weeks or a touch longer to reach its winter pool, if Mother Nature cooperates.
Over at Clearwater Lake, which crested Saturday, the level was 510.89 feet, still almost 17 feet above normal. The discharge from the dam is currently 3,843 cfs, which will keep the Black River downstream up for a while.
According to staff at Clearwater, Corps officials project the lake will be back to its conservation pool around March 10, barring any additional heavy rainfall in the watershed.
Because of the high, muddy water in the lakes and rivers, fishing has really taken a hit lately. That’s unfortunate because this is what many think is the best time of the year to catch crappies. It’s also peak time for catching big walleyes.
Until the water clears up some and recedes, alternative waters, like Cypress Lake at the Otter Slough Conservation Area and Pool 1 at the Duck Creek Conservation Area, will be your best options for a chance to catch some fish.
Moving Out
Light Goose Conservation Order hunters have probably noticed the sharp drop-off in snow goose numbers lately in the area. Given the late date, most of the geese already have moved northward and only a few straggler groups remain in Southeast Missouri.
It bears repeating, however, that if you do find a group, be sure to get permission to enter the property. Landowners generally despise the geese, but they feel worse about trespassers.
Last Option
With geese pretty much gone from the region and the crow season closing Sunday, hunting has essentially ended for the winter, with only one option remaining – coyotes.
Coyote hunters tend to use rabbit squeals and sounds of other prey species, but this time of year, based on experience, you’d probably be better off using coyote vocalizations instead. That’s because it’s their mating season, and they’re very territorial. Plus, coyotes do get quite a bit of hunting pressure in our area and they’ve heard all the other sounds a lot over the last few months.
Bluff City Mallards
Don’t forget about Saturday’s Bluff City Mallards Ducks Unlimited banquet in Poplar Bluff.
The event, at the Black River Coliseum, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and have all the usual games, raffles and auctions.
Several nice firearms will go home with new owners, and duck decoys won’t be in short supply. Really, who doesn’t need more decoys or another shotgun?
Tickets cost $40 and $65 for a single or couple, respectively, and Greenwings youth tickets are $20. Sponsorships also are available for $300 and $600.
Tickets can be purchased by calling Jeremy Wethington at 573-718-8167 or Grant Collins at 573-718-9737. You can also buy them online at www.ducks.org/events.
Van Buren Banquet
If wild turkeys rev up your engines, the Current River Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual banquet on March 7.
The event, at the Southern Missouri Baptist Assembly, off Highway 21 North, will kick off at 5:30 p.m..
Tickets and more information are available from Delbert Dewolf at 573-660-1114 or through email at d-dewolf@hotmail.com.
Deadline Day
Speaking of turkeys, if you planned to apply for a managed turkey hunt in Missouri this spring and haven’t don’t so yet, it’s time to get cracking because the deadline is today.
The results of the computerized drawing are supposed to be available online beginning March 15.