Missouri's a great fishing state. Regardless of the month, you can find almost any flavor of fishing to satisfy your wishes: small farm ponds, intimate lakes, the expanses of world-renowned impoundments, little spring branches flowing cool and clear from deep within the Ozarks mountains, Ozark flows, rich with smallmouth bass and rock bass, that tumble through shale and granite, and large, productive rivers draining the state -- all providing an array of freshwater angling option that equals any in the nation.

Over the past 35 years I've had the wonderful opportunity as a working fisheries biologist and rabid angler to sample this wonderful aquatic resource we call Missouri. Join me for suggestions on where to fish during the many seasons of the year, along with tips to improve your fishing success.

JANUARY
Ice-Fishing In Northern Missouri Ponds And Small Impoundments
Winter is full swing in January, yet there's a wonderful fishing opportunity in northern Missouri. As ponds freeze and become walkable, the ice cover opens up a whole new world to Missouri anglers. All you'll need are an ice auger or spud and an ice-fishing rod or an ultralight spinning rod set up with 4-pound line and tipped with a 1/80-ounce or smaller jig. Add a small bobber, a handful of Mouses, wax worms, earthworms, or crappie minnows and you're set for some great winter fishing. Bluegills, crappie, and bass will be readily available through the ice.

To locate fishing ponds in north Missouri, check with your local National Resource Conservation Service office for the locations of watershed lakes. Although these are on private property, most landowners will allow ice-fishing when asked.

Other Options
As an alternative to ice-fishing, check out Missouri's trout park catch and release trout fishing season. Beginning this winter, Montauk, Bennett Spring, and Roaring River state parks open Friday through Monday, and Maramec Spring, is open seven days a week throughout the season.

Blue and Channel catfish in Little Dixie Lake, Hazel Creek Lake, and Hunnewell Lake can readily be caught through the ice using cut bait, minnows or stink bait.

FEBRUARY
Lake Taneycomo Rainbow Trout
By February, most anglers are beginning to go a little stir-crazy. The first vestiges of spring appear. Air and water temperatures warm; ice leaves the ponds; and those many fishing catalogs begin arriving. To feed this fishing itch, check out Lake Taneycomo, Missouri's most productive trout fishery. Lake Taneycomo is a coldwater tailwater, created by the construction of Table Rock Dam and lake in 1958. Since then it's become one of the best large trout fisheries in the world, routinely producing 14- to 20-inch and larger browns and rainbows for anglers.

In February, large, mature rainbows move to the upper end Lake Taneycomo in an attempt to spawn. Access the upper end from Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery and fish near hatchery outlets, or riffles near the dam and the large riffle downstream from the boat access.

Other Options
While I'm talking trout, Missouri's Blue and Red Ribbon Trout Management Areas heat up in late February as the hatches start. Check out the Current River from Montauk State Park boundary downstream to Cedar Grove access, the North Fork of the White River from Rainbow Springs to Dawt Mill dam, the Meramec River from the confluence of Maramec Spring to Scott's Ford access, and other Blue Ribbon trout streams.

Thomas Hill Lake's warmwater discharge provides great crappie fishing in February.

MARCH
Trout Park Opening
How can any Missouri trout angler pass up the official opening of Missouri's trout park season? Maramec Spring Trout Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park and Roaring River State Park open officially on March 1 for catch-and-keep trout fishing. Anglers, who must purchase a daily trout tag, can harvest four trout daily.

Opening day's like visiting your local county fair: Anglers head for the parks to renew old friendships, catch a few trout, and welcome spring to Missouri. I've attended opening days since 1969 to visit with old friends who also take the day off to fish.

The parks, although heavily used, are heavily stocked with rainbows for opening day. Hatchery folks also throw in a few large individual trout. You can find any flavor of trout fishing you enjoy from using natural bait, artificial lures, or fly-only fishing areas. Some parks even have catch and release areas.

Other Options
Missouri's southern lakes also wake up in March. Crappie and bass begin to move to spawning locations in Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals, and Norfork lakes. On warm days, check out the backs of coves receiving windblown surface water.

Upper Bull Shoals Lake downstream from Powersite Dam, near Swan Creek also supports Missouri's most productive walleye fishery, whose denizens spawn in March.

Paddlefish snagging season also opens March 15 in upper Lake of the Ozarks, Truman tailwaters and in the James River arm of Table Rock Lake.