gasconade river

[brgbassmaster]

ok anglers from missouri i am going on our annual trip to dixon missouri but the last couple of years the fish just havent been there. when my dad was stationed at ft lenardwood we would go down to the gasonade  and to the piney and catch so many large and smallies that our arms would hurt. but then we been going back for the past 4 yrs visitin old friends and what not. but the river is not the same at all. we have heard rumors from the people that own warnol lakes, that they introduced like some otters and commorants(sp) or somthing that have been eating all the fish. just wondering if you guys have had the same experience? but what do you guys reccomend using in the gasconade since that is where we will be spending most our time? the water is very clear in some areas and stained in others just wondering what you guys have had success with thanks for the help. we will be staying at blue jay farms if anyone knows where that is at.

[cart7t]

I can't speak from direct experience but from what I've read, even the Department of conservation is smacking their heads and yelling "Doh" on their decision to re-introduce otters back into the wild without taking into account a lack of predators to keep them in check.  Seems the otters have been literally feasting on the gamefish in the rivers and when done, will move across land and go after farm ponds or fish farms if need be.  

It was a really stupid mistake by the Mo. Dept. of conservation and they have opened up the otter trapping season with earnest.  

BTW, both the Big Piney and Gasconade are great rivers for SM.  Try going further up river on both.

[jaskoh]

My boss owns some property on the upper Meremac and he said the same thing about the otters.  All his neighbors have been complaining about the otters eating all the fish in a pool then moving on.  

I haven't seen any of this first hand though.

[mzrealfish]

I just tried to post a reply for you and typed for twenty-plus minutes about my group's two trips on the Gasconade.  When I hit post it said "error".  I will try again soon or you can just call me @ (913) 424-0190.  My name is Mark Zukaitis and I am a huge fan of the Gasconade.

[streamer]

I've heard similar complaints regarding otters. I've fished the Big Piney and Gasconade rivers for the past three weekends straight and have only caught one little smallie so that's the excuse I'm using ............ otters!