I recently started fishing a local lake here in Southeast Missouri. I've heard countless fish stories from old timers that the living state record is in this lake. A personal friend of mine also told me that the Missouri Conservation already shocked the lake this year and there was supposedly a living 16lber recorded. Is there anyway to contact the Conservation department and have them verify this information? Also for any Missouri guys interesed the lake is Di Salvo Lake, better known as Bismarck Lake. The current state record is 13 lbs 14 ounces so as you can imagine I'm pretty excited.

I suggest instead of using your time contacting the Conservation Department, get out there and fish that water.  If it exists and you don't catch it, nobody will really care.

I've every intention to keep fishing there as often as possible. I'd just certainly like to know the lakes potential or living giants

This thread is shocking.

It depends when the shock was.  Prespawn and that 16 pounder is probably a 13 pounder now.  

Very good point, didn't consider that. Regardless I'll let you guys when I land her.

I'm sure I'm going to regret asking this, but how do you "shock a lake"?

Conservation departments are allowed to electro-fish.  This is what they are referencing when they say shocking. Its a mostly harmless method of doing fish surveys.

You definitely want to verify that. Stories have a way of becoming inflated. I've been there before. Definitely verify it before you go chasing phantoms.

Your conserv dept will probably respond to your inquiry readily. Find them online and send an email or call the fisheries office covering the lake in question.

Conservation departments are allowed to electro-fish. This is what they are referencing when they say shocking. Its a mostly harmless method of doing fish surveys.

Ah, so exactly what it sounds like.  Thanks for the straight answer.  I was expecting something along the lines of "You tell it it's adopted".  Where's Muddy when you need him?

I hadn't heard of electro-fishing before.  I can hear the fish yelling "don't taze me bro!".

Ok, bad joke.

Conservation departments are allowed to electro-fish. This is what they are referencing when they say shocking. Its a mostly harmless method of doing fish surveys.

Ah, so exactly what it sounds like. Thanks for the straight answer. I was expecting something along the lines of "You tell it it's adopted". Where's Muddy when you need him?

I hadn't heard of electro-fishing before. I can hear the fish yelling "don't taze me bro!".

Ok, bad joke.

Dude that's funny right there!!

If I was going to choose a lake in Missouri that the next state record would come from, Bismark wouldn't be on that list. I'd suggest going to the conservation site, pulling up Di Salvo lake and finding the contact person who manages the site and put that obvious "rumor" of the 16lb fish to rest.

I've fished that lake a few times and it does have a few nice fish in it but I've never heard of anyone catching anything out of there even remotely approaching 10lbs let alone anything larger. There are a couple lakes in the state that I really believe the next potential SR could come from, both are in the SE end of the state but farther south from Bismark.

BTW, I haven't fished it in a few years but that lake was becoming so loaded with Milfoil that navigating the lake from a boat was getting tough.

Brad, here's the conservation departments own fishing prospectus for this season. These are derived from either the previous spring or fall from electro-shocking or from angler surveys.

This 210-acre lake is located on Bismarck Conservation Area in St. Francois County. Largemouth bass are abundant and average 8 -15". However, larger fish are becoming more common. A 12-15" slot-length limit is in effect. Anglers should consider keeping bass <12" in order to improve the average size of bass. Bluegill and redear sunfish will average 5-7". The larger fish will spawn along the shoreline in stands of lotus from April through June. Many of these beds go unnoticed by sunfish anglers. Channel catfish are abundant, with most fish in the 10-17" range. The number of black crappie are fair, but they should average 7-10", with an occasional large (>12") fish taken. Crappie are most often taken in the main lake channel in early spring and fall by drifting or trolling minnows and jigs. The lake has an abundance of aquatic vegetation that can hinder bank angling during the summer months, but herbicide treatments are made to improve access. A paved boat ramp, a courtesy dock for boats, and a paved fishing jetty provide conveniences for anglers fishing the lake.

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/prospects/?m=13#a19

BTW, one of the lakes I think has the SR potential is listed on that prospectus. The other isn't.

I'd agree with those that said, just go fish the lake.  Obviously everyone wants a record, but if the lake is a good fishery in the first place then its worth fishing.  

One thing you have to remember about electro-fishing is that the bass ALWAYS bite the silver worm!  By which I mean, they don't have a choice but to be caught by Fish and Wildlife, but they always have the choice of biting your lure if or when you find them.  If you enjoy fishing the lake, then fish it and if you get the big one, great, but if you only fish the lake because the record is in there, you could find yourself more frustrated than not.  

Thanks for the replies guys, greatly appreciate it. The lake is in fact still heavily covered with vegatation. Its certainly a challenge to find the fish there but regardless its a ten minute drive and I'll keep fishing her.