Wappapello Lake came close, but never made it down to conservation pool over the winter. Now, with just more than two weeks to go before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ traditional date to begin raising it to summer recreation pool, officials have decided to keep the lake’s level where it is, which is just above 359 feet, and not lower it back to winter pool.
“We have no plans to go back to winter pool now,” said Operations Manager Bart Dearborn. “We plan to hold it at summer pool unless we see a substantial rainfall.”
The lake’s management plan, Dearborn said, allows it to begin raising the lake to summer pool within 14 days of April 15, but since the water level already is close to the desired summer level, the decision was made to leave it there.
Department of Conservation Fisheries Management Biologist Dave Knuth was on board with the decision, saying “rises in water can cue spawning behavior, along with temperature and day length. Literature shows that stable water levels pre-spawn can improve recruitment for many sport fish, and any stability in water levels during these critical times is good for fish populations.”
Big Turnout
Saturday’s Black River Quail Forever clay shoot at the Black River Ranch saw 32 shooters representing junior high and high school trap teams from Poplar Bluff, Greenville and Twin Rivers high schools, plus tons of supporters.
“Man, can these kids shoot,” said event host John Blaich. “Congratulations to the parents and coaches for their dedication in developing such mature young adults. What a delight to host such a wonderful group.”
Another shooting event to raise money for local trap teams, as well as quail habitat improvement, is planned for this fall, Blaich said.
Bass Circuit
Saturday’s Wappapello Bass Circuit saw a whopping 79 teams compete in the organization’s first event of the 2019 season.
Leading the field was the team of Warren and Francis, who brought 15.45 pounds to the scales.
Taking second place was Fowler and Magnall with 14.55 pounds, and third place was earned by Rhodes and White with 10.22 pounds.
The fourth-place finishers were Gresham and Stevens with 10.14 pounds, followed by Seiter and Hardin in fifth with 9.80 pounds.
Rounding out the top 10 spots were Thurston and Flowers with 9.64 pounds, Green and Mannon with 9.22 pounds, Hughes and Trout with 8.38 pounds, Williams and Bangert with 8.31 pounds and Mosier and Pierce with 7.74 pounds.
The days biggest bass was a 6.36-pound whopper hauled in by Williams and Bangert, while the second largest bass, at 5.98 pounds, was caught by Seiter and Hardin.
The Wappapello Bass Circuit’s next tournament will be held April 20.
Season Kickoff
The Angler’s Choice/Bass Quest series will hit the water at Wappapello Lake Sunday for its first tournament of the year.
Taking off from the Chaonia public ramp, the event will begin at 7 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m.
The tournament fee is $180 per team, including the Big Bass pot, plus there’s a $35 membership fee.
Ken Owens is the tournament director and can be reached at 573-820-37150.
Casting for Kids
If you don’t mind traveling a bit to fish, Children’s Homes, Inc. out of Paragould, Ark., will host its annual Casting for Kids Bass Classic on April 6 on Lake Norfork.
Registration will begin at 5:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the Lake Norfork Inn, Launch time will be 7 a.m., and the weigh-in will take place at 3 p.m. at the Henderson recreation Area in Henderson, Ark.
If you’re interested in competing, give Gary Cupp a call at 870-239-4031.
Puxico Pintails
The Puxico Pintails chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host its annual banquet on Saturday at the Wappapello Eagles #4066.
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and several games, raffles and a silent auction will begin immediately.
After a fried catfish dinner, a live auction will be held for items like hunting gear, framed prints, decorative decoys and the like.
Several guns will be given away, including the Ducks Unlimited Gun of the Year, a 12-gauge Benelli Super Black Eagle 3. Raffle tickets for that gun cost $20 each or three for $50.
Tickets to the event cost $45 for a single or $65 for a couple, and Greenwings tickets for youths age 17 and under cost $20.
Sponsorships also are available for $300.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ducks.org/missouri/events or by calling Wesley Hood at 573-625-1523 or Matt Franklin at 573-614-2653.
Trapping Wrap-up
Finally, if you’re one of the few people left trapping beavers this late in the spring, you’ve only got a few days left to do so because the season closes Sunday.
Traps will have to be removed by midnight on the 31st.
If you still do happen to have beaver or other pelts to sell, you could try contacting buyer Marc Romine at 573-714-5277.