Blind Pony near Marshall/Sweetsprings

[Quinn]

I have noticed some interest in this lake.

It was closed for a few years to drain it and dredge the silt out.

It is open as of March 1st.

It was stocked with catfish and bass.  I have tried it a couple of times so far with no luck (It could just be me) but I have also talked to a few that have fished there with no luck with the bass.  A few have caught some nice catfish.  

I wasn't sure how good the bass'n would be for a while, but the MDC believes that it can handle fishing pressure.

I live just down the road from there and plan on being there often so if anyone would like "reports" PM me or I will post pics of any success I have had there.

Quinn

PS leave your boat at home, they have 20 boats to use free of charge on a first come basis, no private boats or float tubes.  You can bring an electric trolling motor.

[cart7t]

Blind Pony Lake (Central Region)

Information: (573) 884-6861

Blind Pony Lake will reopen to fishing on Sunday, March 1, 2009. The 195-acre lake, located six miles north of Sweet Springs on Highway ZZ in Saline County, was closed for renovation in February 2004. From October 2004 to October 2005, approximately 450,000 cubic yards of sediment were removed from the lake and fish habitat structures added to the west side. In 2006 and 2007, the lake refilled with water and was restocked with fingerling channel catfish, blue catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass. In addition to the stocked fish, green sunfish were present in the lake basin and watershed, and have spawned several times. The lake's population has now grown to a size sufficient to sustain fishing pressure. Largemouth bass fishing should be fair. Many of the fish will be in the 12" to 15" protected range but there is an excellent prey base and the bass should grow fast. Bluegill fishing should also be fair. In a sample from May 2008, there were numerous bluegill from three to six inches. By 2009, these fish should be and inch or two longer and ready to test anglers. The sample from May 2008 also contained numerous green sunfish, with many exceeding seven inches in length. Fishing for green sunfish should be good in 2009. Fishing for channel catfish should be fair. The catfish are numerous but mostly on the small side. This will improve in a few years as the catfish that avoid harvest grow and the population continues to develop.

There are some new regulations for the lake that will lessen the chances of an accidental introduction of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that have caused numerous problems in other states and would be very disruptive for Blind Pony Hatchery, which uses the lake as a source of water. The big change will be that only Department boats may be used on the area. Boats and oars for use on the lake will be provided free of charge on a first come, first served basis; anglers must supply their own Coast Guard-approved personal floatation (life jackets) and may use their electric trolling motors on the MDC boats. In addition, bait transported or held in containers with water is prohibited. The length and creel limits will also be different than they were when the lake closed in 2004. The lake will reopen with a 12" to 15" protected slot for largemouth bass; anglers may harvest bass that are smaller than 12" and larger than 15" . Bass within the slot must be immediately released unharmed. Creel limits for channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish in the aggregate are 4, black bass 6, crappie 30, and all other fish up to statewide limits, but not to exceed 20 in the aggregate.

http://mdc.mo.gov/fish/prospects/?m=13#a7

[Quinn]

Thank you for the elaborated response cart7t.

I have seen the MDC prospects page but never paid allot of attention to it, but thanks for posting it, I bookmarked it and plan on reading up on allot of MO lakes!

[Fishing Doug]

Quinn,

I will be interested to hear how you do. I may give it a shot a couple times this year. Getting my 6 yr old niece into fishing this year and may take her out there a couple times for 'gills while I try for a bass or two.

Our family farm is not too far from there. We are just north of 70 & 65.

FD

[cart7t]

Thank you for the elaborated response cart7t.

I have seen the MDC prospects page but never paid allot of attention to it, but thanks for posting it, I bookmarked it and plan on reading up on allot of MO lakes!

The prospects page is great for getting an idea of fish size and densities on any lake you decide to fish.  No point in going to an unknown lake with expectations of catching a 5-6lb + bass if bass of that size are rare in the lake.

I will say one thing for you guys on the left side of the state.  You've got w-a-y more opportunities and lakes than we do over here.