Large Spoonbill Caught Yesterday in Warsaw

Mike Conley of Raytown proudly holds a paddlefish he snagged on the Osage River near Warsaw yesterday. One of America’s largest freshwater fish and Missouri’s official state aquatic animal, paddlefish are nicknamed "spoonbills" or "shovelnose" because of their large, paddle-shaped snouts. Because paddlefish are not attracted by lures or baits, the only way to catch them is to snag them with weighted hooks. Missouri’s paddlefish season lasts till April 30. To get the latest snagging report and advisories, go to http://mdc.mo.gov/node/5399. --