Missouri Muskie?

[Mike Wallace]

Heading down to Missouri first week in April to Hazel Creek Lake. Henry Sever Lake is only about 40 miles away as well. Does anybody have any experience on these lakes? What about the time of year?

I posted this in the Missouri section, but haven't gotten any responses.

I have was on Hazel Creek last year but that was around the 20th of March and we didn't see anything but one 3 lb. bass.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike Wallace

[50inchpig]

Hi Mike - I'm from Missouri - thank God I live in Minnesota now, couple more lakes here with muskies in them -

Hazel Creek - There is a 2nd boat ramp halfway down the lake most don't know about. The main point by the boatramp is a good spot. Stright west across the lake there is a little cove and a steep bank where the river channel cuts in to shore. Good area. You may be tempted to follow the West arm there but go North. Follow that shorline and there's a deep stumpy point. Explore.

I would focus your efforts on the North arm, going towards the dam. The first 3 coves up by the dam on the East side of the lake are nice. They are mostly featureless but hold fish. Seen fish off the dam but never caught one, however, just West of the dam in the corner there is a good sharp channel break running out (right by the overflow drain tower).

Best baits have been larger bass cranks, spinnerbaits. Hopefully you can find some shad there, don't neglect the stump and tree edges outside the coves. Good luck, let me know how you do. If you get really bored, Hazel Creek is just loaded with crappie, and KU still sucks.

[Mike Wallace]

Thanks 50,

Anything about water temp that time of year? Thanks for the tips. When we went last year we had about 20 mph winds coming at us from the launch. Not easy to get around with just the trolling motor. We never made it up to the dam area.

We fished two days and we saw one bass and a dozen or so carp back up by the creek channel (only place out of the wind).

Any info on Henry Sever Lake?

Thanks again,

Mike Wallace

[50inchpig]

Wouldn't know about water temps. One thing for sure is you've got twice the chance of having bad weather in kirksville than any place around it. been up there a few times we didn't even launch it was so bad. never been to Henry Sever - is that the small res. in Macon? Can almost guarantee size potential would be better at Hazel

[Mike Wallace]

Thanks 50,

We'll see what happens. It's better than being iced in up here, that's for sure!