American Caviar
Paddlefish snagging season opens Sunday March 15th and runs through the end of April in Missouri. Often sought illegally for the fish eggs, this is the legal season to catch them. Not rated as highly as the expensive Beluga Caviar, Paddlefish eggs are still an acceptable substitute and quite sought after.
Adventurous and Hardy Fishermen Required
According to the Missouri Consevation Department, Snagging this primitive fish is dependent on weather conditions, primarily water temperature and flow. When water temperatures are 50‑55ºF and there is an increase in flow, paddlefish make spawning migrations upstream
Early in the season, harvest is primarily made up of the smaller male paddlefish. As water temperature and flow increase the fish will move upstream in the lake or river and the number of larger females will increase. A dry spring will make the fish remain lower in the reservoirs.
Water temperatures are in the mid 40's so it seems that we are in for a cold opening again this year! Snagging season will probably get off to a slow start! As water temperatures and flow increase snagging should improve.
Snaggers need to possess a valid fishing permit if they are snagging or driving the boat being snagged from.
Many snaggers use gaffs to assist with landing big fish. In the southwest corner of Missouri, Table Rock Lake offers some good fishing, but there is a 34 inch length limit (eye to fork-of-tail) and a limit of two paddlefish.
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On Table Rock Lake, most of the snagging occurs in the upper reaches of the James River Arm within 3 miles of Flat Creek around Point 15, in the Cape Fair area. During high water years fish and snaggers can go further up the James River.
SELLING TABLE ROCK LAKE. CALL JOAN FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS 417-846-7128
TRI-LAKES REALTORS 417-858-3344
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