By Gerald J. Scott

Don't bother reminding me that Webster's definition of a panfish is: "any small fish that can be fried whole in a pan." By that definition, a 2-year-old blue cat, flathead or spoonbill would be a "panfish," and this article is not about any of those species.

But then, we won't be discussing crappie, or the various species of stream-dwelling sunfish that anglers call "goggle-eyes," either - despite the fact that all but the largest individuals of any of these worthy angling adversaries would fit neatly within the confines of a large cast-iron skillet.

For the purposes of this article, I'm going to throw conventional wisdom to the winds. In fact, I'm going to stuff the definition of panfish into an old-fashioned lard press and turn the crank until there's room for only two species: bluegills and redear sunfish. Then I'm going to grab the handle with both hands and give it another full turn, leaving nothing behind but bluegills more than 8 inches long and redears more than 10 inches long.

About now some of you are thinking: Old Scott has finally taken complete leave of his senses. At the very least, he's "rendered" himself out of being able to write about anyplace I can catch bluegills and redears that big.

I won't waste time arguing about how tenacious my grip on reality may or may not be. What's more, I'll freely concede that the overwhelming majority of Missouri's waters can't be said to yield significant numbers of mega-panfish. That said, a few private farm ponds, federal reservoirs and state impoundments do foster exciting numbers of trophy panfish. So which of these types of water should be your primary focus? And more to the point, what individual body of water should you choose?

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

There's not a doubt in my mind but that at least 100 Missouri farm ponds offer better angling for trophy bluegills than do any of the 10 "hotspots" I'll describe later in this article. Moreover, by virtue of their size, farm ponds allow an angler to present every imaginable bait or lure while using anything from a custom-built fly rod to a hand-cut willow pole.

What farm ponds lack is universal access - bad news for most anglers, maybe, but the best possible tidings for the fortunate few willing to put forth the effort necessary to gain permission to fish these mini-meccas. I have access to two such ponds, and, speaking from personal experience, let me assure you that the rewards are well worth the work.

Bluegills are present in every federal reservoir in Missouri. Unfortunately, only two have bluegill fisheries worthy of an honorable-mention addendum to our best-bets list, and then only subject to several provisos.

If you choose to challenge "The Rock," late May to early June is the best time to go, because the lake's bluegills will be spawning at that time. Look for spawning beds between 10 and 15 feet deep along protected shorelines with gravel bottoms. Fish near or on the bottom with live crickets.

The bad news: Table Rock has miles and miles of shoreline that meet the above description. The good news: Large numbers of bluegills will gather in a small area during the spawning season, so one good bed may be all you need to find.

Stockton's neither as large nor as clear as is Table Rock, but it's got a lot of water that's between 12 and 20 feet deep. Trying points and cove mouths may help to narrow your search.

Bluegills are part of the stocking mix in every MDC impoundment, and an ever-increasing number of these lakes are being stocked with redear sunfish as well. For a variety of reasons, equal beginnings have not produced equal results. Be that as it may, the following lakes are worthy of being listed among Missouri's best bets for trophy panfish in 2004.

Although this is essentially a year-round fishery, spring and summer are the best seasons. Redears are a deep-water fish wherever they're found, and never more so than in clear-water lakes like Council Bluff. Even during the spawn, look for redears off points and cove mouths in 4 to 15 feet of water. They'll be deeper still during the summer months.

An expert flyfisherman using a sinking line and weighted wooly worms or streamers can catch redears at Council Bluff. Even so, conditions on this lake and the nature of redears make ultralight spinning gear and live bait a more practical choice for most anglers. Worms and crickets are the most popular baits, but don't overlook small minnows and crayfish.

Council Bluff Lake lies in the Mark Twain National Forest, south of Potosi. Facilities include boat ramps and a campground. Some shoreline fishing possibilities exist, but most of the banks are steep. For more information, call (573) 290-5730.

Harrison County Reservoir is southwest of Eagleville. Facilities include a boat ramp, boat dock, fishing jetty, fishing dock and primitive camping. Bank-fishing opportunities abound. This is a good bet for both serious flyfishermen and exuberant children of all ages. For more information, call (816) 271-3100.

Hunnewell Lake is sited in Shelby county, east of Shelbina. Facilities include boat rentals (private boats are prohibited), a fishing dock, a fishing jetty, a picnic area and primitive camping. For more information, call (573) 248-2530.

Bushwacker CA, which includes the lake, is located in Vernon and Barton counties south of Bronough. Facilities include a boat ramp, three fishing jetties, a fishing dock and primitive camping. For more information, call (417) 876-5226.