It's shaping up to be a great year at Mark Twain Lake.  Recent warm temperatures and rains have removed almost all of the ice from the surface of the lake.  With more mild temperatures in the forecast for the next week, it seems pretty unlikely that we will see the return of a frozen over lake this year.

Some crappie are already being caught, with the warmer water producing the most fish.  If last fall's fishing is any indication we will have good numbers and size of crappie at the lake this year.  The major flooding that took place in 2008 inundated the lake with debris which subsequently added to the amount of food available in the lake making for better shad populations.  This increased shad population in turn leads to larger and more abundant crappie.

A few days of direct sunshine will have a large impact on the fishing.   With the lake still in it's habitually murky state the sun will warm the muddy water rapidly.  When temperatures start to approach 45 degrees, anglers can expect their fishing prospects to be excellent.  Look for these fast warming areas on the north shore of the lake in coves that receive a lot of direct sunlight.  Baitfish will start to school in this warmer water, and where you find the baitfish crappie are sure to follow.

Minnows are best for cold water fishing, as this most closely matches the crappie's natural food.  Lively minnows also create the action that will attract attention in the cold water.  In cold weather remember to slowly mix some lake water in with your minnows.  This will prevent the minnows from going into shock and dying when they hit the much colder lake water.  Minnows can't survive quick changes in temperature.