How to become an official Missouri Master Angler

Submitted photo/ The first Master Angler award was for a 44 inch, 12 pound, 9 ounce gar caught Aug. 11, 1971 on Lake Taneycomo.

Nevada Daily Mail

Fishing for a lunker fish is exciting.

The big fish caught or lost, is the subject of many campfire conversations, and is a common bond between anglers. It also supplies a lifetime memory as a special pride in fishing accomplishment any angler can resist.

Photo courtesy of MDC/ A flathead catfish that would qualify for a Master Angler Award.

Catching a trophy fish is easier than one might think.

Information to determine the best places and times to catch such a fish from Missouri waters is gathered by entries in the Missouri Master Angler program by the Conservation Department during the past 40 years.

Did you know, any fish taken by hook-and-line and caught within the state that meets a certain minimum weight or length is eligible?

Each angler whose fish meets this minimum qualification is presented a Master Angler certificate awarded by the MDC. The entry form asks for the species of fish submitted, where it was caught, including the county, date caught weight and length.

The length requirement is included to promote and accommodate the catch-and-release fishing and is intended to be used for released fish. If there is a photo of the angler and catch, send it along and it will be copied to the certificate.

For more information on the program and to get an entry form, mail your request to: Master Angler Program, Fisheries Division, Missouri Department of Conservation. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180. Or find more information online at mdc.mo.gov.

I remember that back in August of 1971, I hooked a gar in Lake Taneycomo that weighed 12 pounds and 9 ounces and was 44 inches long. I entered it in the new Master Anglers program by the Missouri Conservation Department. To my surprise, it was the very first award given by the new program.

One would think that a largemouth bass or even a crappie might have been the first fish entered, but it turned out to be a gar for the first Master Angler award.

Its comes as no surprise that a large percentage of record-sized catches comes from the many farm ponds in the state.

The state record crappies, both black and white, were taken from farm ponds as were several other species. Many largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie have put Missouri anglers into the Master Angler program. Don't overlook the thousands of ponds that are located in every section of the state as possible locations to catch that lunker.

Checking several species of Missouri fish that an angler might have success in taking a lunker include: Largemouth Bass-from farm ponds to strip pits to the large impoundments there are opportunities to hook that "hog bass."

Although April is the best month to hook a lunker bass, they are taken year-round in the big impoundments. To qualify for a Master Angler award a largemouth bass has to be at least 22 inches or weigh 6 pounds or more. The state record largemouth bass was caught at Bull Shoals back in April of 1961 and weighed 13 pounds and 14 ounces.

Smallmouth bass

The state record smallmouth was caught from Stockton Lake in 1994, it weighed more than 7 pounds.

Many south Missouri streams hold smallmouths that would easily make the near record book as well as several of the big impoundments including Table Rock. To qualify a smallmouth for a Master Angler award the fish needs to be 18 or more inches in length or weigh 3 pounds or more.

Bluegill

It doesn't come as a big surprise that the state record bluegill came from a farm pond. This three pound bluegill was taken back in 1963. The best location to catch a lunker bluegill range from a pond to smaller impoundments.

However, nearly every body of water in the state holds the potential to catch a bluegill that would make the master angler award. The fish must measure 10 inches in length or weigh one pound or more.

Muskie

Several Missouri impoundments hold muskie including Fellows Lake, Pomme de Terre, Hazel Creek and the Lake of the Ozarks. To qualify for a Master Angler, a muskie must measure 39 inches in length or weigh at least 15 pounds. The state record muskie was caught from the Lake of the Ozarks in 1981, weighing 41 pounds and 2 ounces.

Walleye

Stockton Lake has a good population of these toothy fighters, but other impoundments also have a growing population of walleyes, including Bull Shoals where the state record fish was caught back in 1988. That fish weighed more than 21 pounds.

A Master Angler award would be awarded to an angler with a walleye that measured 27 inches or longer or weighing in at 9 pounds or more.

Crappie

These popular fish are found statewide with many lunkers taken from ponds. However, that is not an endorsement to stock ponds with these fast producing fish.

The lunker crappie taken from ponds are the exception and not the rule. Both species of crappie may earn a master award if it is at least 15 inches in length or weighs 2 pounds or more.

The record black crappie weighed 4 pounds and 8 ounces while the white crappie weighed one ounce more. Both fish were caught from a farm pond.

White bass

These finny fighters are found in most large impoundments and furnish anglers a lot of action. To qualify for the Master Anglers award a white bass needs to be 16 inches or longer in length or weigh 2 pounds or more.

Channel catfish

Trophy channel catfish are caught from many different types of waters. From ponds to streams to large impoundments, channel cat lunkers make the near record list. The best time to catch these catfish have been in the summer months while night-fishing.

The record channel cat was caught from Lake Jacomo back in 1976, it weighed more than 34 pounds. A Master Angler fish to win an award must measure 27 inches or weigh 10 pounds or more.

Flathead catfish

Almost all Missouri trophy flatheads have come from the major rivers in the state. Although, several impoundments like Truman have produced some monster fish. The best time to hook a flathead lunker is mid-summer through August. A Master Angler award is available to an angler who catches a flathead cat that measures 39 inches or more or weighs 30 pounds or more.

The record flathead weighed 71 pounds 8 ounces. The big fish was taken from the Missouri River in 1997.

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in Missouri. More that a third of the population, both old and young, fish. Of course every angler would like to bring in a lunker, but just the possibility of landing "old fighter" lurks on every fishing trip. Most anglers would agree that there's a lot more to fishing than just catching fish.

Below left: See related Master Angler picture