If you’re looking for a bucket-list fish that’s far from ordinary, Paddlefish may just be your next obsession. Dating back hundreds of millions of years, these massive, shovel-nosed fish once swam alongside dinosaurs. They didn’t last this long by being vicious predators, though. In fact, they live off of zooplankton, with little interest in chasing juicy bait or flashy lures. That makes Paddlefish fishing a unique challenge.
Paddlefish are relatively rare and you can’t always keep them. But if you ask us, snagging one of these creatures and cradling them for a photo is rewarding enough. It’s not every day that you can say you hugged a dinosaur!
How to Identify Paddlefish
Given their bizarre appearance, it’s no surprise that Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) go by many descriptive names. You may hear them referred to as Spoonbill, Spadefish, Shovelfish, Spoonbill Catfish, Shovel-Billed Cat, Duck-Billed Cat Spoonbill, and so on.
Paddlefish date back roughly 125 million years, making them one of the oldest freshwater fish in North America. They inhabit slow-moving rivers, channels, backwaters, and oxbow lakes along the Mississippi River basin. Paddlefish swim as far north as Montana and all the way south to river drainages in the Gulf of America. They’ve also been stocked in a handful of states across the South and Midwest.
They inhabit many of the same waters as Catfish and, while some people refer to them as “Spoonbill Catfish,” they don’t belong to the same species. At the end of the day, Paddlefish have more in common with Sturgeon, including decadent roe which is similar to caviar.
Recognizing these fish will be no problem. At first glance, you may think you’ve hooked a giant Cat, but once it rears its head, there’s no mistaking a Paddlefish for anything else. Their long, flat bills do indeed resemble an oar or a shovel – hence their name(s). They have small eyes right at the end of those bills and deep, gray-colored bodies. You may notice that Paddlefish bear a passing resemblance to Marlin, from their long bills to their cylindrical shape, forked tails, and curved pectoral fins.
Like other giants, Paddlefish are very slow-growing. In their 60 years of life, some reach over 100 pounds. Your run-of-the-mill catch typically weighs 40–50 pounds, but even that is a substantial amount of Paddlefish to handle. There’s no IGFA record for the species because they can’t be caught with conventional fishing methods. However, the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame does keep track, with the current record standing at 164 pounds, 13 ounces.
Best Paddlefish Fishing Spots
Paddlefish inhabit a few river systems across the central and southern states, primarily connected to the Mississippi River basin. If you’re looking for one, follow the maze of that mighty river, and it may lead you to the catch of a lifetime. These are some of the best-known paddlefishing spots:
Oklahoma
Paddlefish are popular in Oklahoma, and the Sooner State does it up right. Not only are there healthy populations of these fish, but lots of access to them and a dedicated snagging season when you can keep one.
Grand Lake is one of the best-known paddlefishing spots. You can also fish the Neosho River above the lake, which is absolutely full of Paddlefish during spring. It’s a great area both for boat fishing and bank fishing, with no shortage of local guides who specialize in snagging.
Keystone Lake near Tulsa is also famous for monster Paddlefish. Most anglers focus on the tailwaters below Keystone Dam or the upper river channels during peak migration. For less fishing pressure, consider Lake Hudson near Salina.
Spring is the best time to fish for Paddlefish in Oklahoma, from March through early May. This is when female fish are carrying roe, so there’s an additional bonus to fishing during this time. Just note that you cannot transport roe across state lines.
Anglers are allowed to keep one Paddlefish per day and only two per year. You also must tag any fish you keep. Snagging is always off limits in some areas and during night hours.
Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks isn’t just one of the biggest lakes in Missouri, it also holds some of the biggest Paddlefish. In fact, this is where the current world record was caught! Crowds flock to these waters during the open snagging season, especially near the tailwaters below Bagnell Dam.
Table Rock Lake is also renowned for its Paddlefish population. The James River Arm is especially productive, and the clear-water lake provides a scenic setting with plenty of boat and bank access. Truman Lake is yet another prime Paddlefish habitat, especially during periods of higher water flow. Access points below Truman Dam are popular with both shore and boat anglers.
Paddlefish snagging season in these lakes runs from March 15–April 30. You can keep up to two Paddlefish per day and a total of four per season. If you’re fishing along the Mississippi River, snagging season is open from March 15–May 15 and again from September 15–December 15.
Harvesting is allowed only in designated snagging zones and any fish you keep must be tagged right away. As always, hiring a local guide is the best way to follow state rules.
Mississippi
Despite being the Mississippi River’s namesake, Paddlefishing in this state tends to fly under the radar. The species is not that widely targeted here, but Mississippi is home to native populations and offers opportunities in certain stretches of its iconic river system.
During spring, Paddlefish move upstream into the Big Muddy’s tributaries and oxbow lakes. Near Vicksburg, anglers have access to both the main river and connected backwaters, ideal for intercepting Paddlefish during their migration.
The Yazoo River system occasionally supports Paddlefish fishing as well, particularly where the water connects to the main Mississippi River channel during high flows.
The best bite occurs during the spawning season, between March and early May. There’s a creel limit of two Paddlefish per angler and your catch must measure less than 30 inches. Harvesting is prohibited in Pickwick Lake, the Tenn-Tom Waterway, and the Tombigbee River system.
North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t usually top the list, but it’s home to one of the country’s strongest wild Paddlefish populations. The confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers marks a significant milestone along their spring migration route. This makes the nearby town of Williston a popular spot for researchers as well as anglers during peak season. This stretch of river also has a visitor center where you can learn about the history, ecology, and science behind these ancient giants.
Conservation is a serious thing up here, but you can still keep a Paddlefish from time to time with the opportunity to land fish over 100 pounds. North Dakota’s snagging season typically begins May 1 and runs until May 21. However, it may close sooner if the harvest quota is met. Snagging is only allowed in certain areas and is limited to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Montana
For another remote and rugged experience, try fishing for Paddlefish in Montana. Here you’ll have access to the same wild and carefully managed fishery that’s shared across the state line in North Dakota.
The lower Yellowstone River is Montana’s top spot for Paddlefish. More specifically, the area around Intake Diversion Dam, which is home to a major Paddlefish research program. Anglers often line up on the bank or launch boats to drift through known holding spots.
You can also fish the uppermost Mississippi River, where Paddlefish often swim around the confluence of the Milk and Missouri Rivers. These waters are somewhat remote, which makes accessing them harder, but the trade-off is potential for big, wild fish.
The best time to fish for Paddlefish in Montana is early summer, particularly if you want to keep your catch. The snagging season varies depending on exactly where you want to fish. On the Yellowstone River, harvest is allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between May 15 and June 15. Meanwhile, season dates vary along different sections of the Missouri River. There’s a statewide limit of one Paddlefish per angler each season.
How to Fish for Paddlefish
Whether or not you consider yourself an experienced angler, fishing for Paddlefish is a whole other ballgame. That’s because these fish are filter feeders – they don’t bite! Instead, they swim with their mouths open and gobble up microplankton. You can use a rod and a reel to catch them, but adding bait would only be a waste.
To catch these giant fish with dainty appetites, anglers have developed the method we’ve mentioned already – snagging. This involves casting a heavy rig with a large treble hook and sinker. You’ll wait for your rig to sink to the bottom, then yank the line back in a repeated motion. The idea is to drag the hook through the water and “foul hook” the Paddlefish by the body, rather than hooking them through the mouth.
Snagging is possible from shore as well as using a boat. Aboard a boat, you’ll be able to access deep holes and channels where Paddlefish gather. Once you’re positioned overhead, it’s time for some vertical snagging. You’ll drop your hook straight down and yank the rod upward in steady intervals (much like jigging). Some guides use trolling motors to move slowly while anglers repeatedly jerk the line to cover more ground.
If you’re snagging from shore, cast upstream and let the rig bounce along the bottom as it drifts. Use long, sweeping jerks to cover water efficiently. Focus your efforts around dams, bridge pilings, and river bends, where fish often hold before moving upstream to spawn.
Water conditions are ideal for snagging when levels are stable and there’s good visibility. If the river is muddy following heavy rain or snowmelt, you’ll find it much harder to locate the fish. Look for moderate flows in the river, since Paddlefish won’t get comfortable in currents that are too fast or too slow.
Another thing to have in mind is depth. While Paddlefish often hold near the bottom, you should feel free to work the entire water column, especially in reservoirs and slow-moving rivers where they suspend a bit higher. Once you’ve figured out how deep they’re swimming, focus on a steady retrieve.
Lastly, bring your stamina. Snagging is basically catching a river monster with a lasso and wrangling it to the surface! When you feel a solid bump on the end of your line, set the hook hard and hold on tight.
Due to the unique method, your chances of success are higher when fishing with a guide. They’ll also help you follow local regulations, such as where and when it’s legal to snag Paddlefish and how many you can keep.
Paddlefish Fishing Gear & Bait
It goes without saying that snagging Paddlefish calls for heavy gear. You’re likely to use an 8–14′ heavy-action rod and a reel with high line capacity. The main line is typically 80–100 lb braided line, and some people attach a 60–80 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader.
Most anglers use a three-way rig with a dropper line and a large, trailing treble hook 18–36 inches behind it. State regulations often allow just one single or treble hook, which should be barbless in order to release the fish safely. Use sizes 8/0 and smaller in order not to pierce the fish deeper than necessary, which could cause damage to their internal organs.
Like we said, bait and lures would be wasted on Paddlefish. This adds to the challenge, since there won’t be any flashy sights or smells to do the work for you!
When to Fish for Paddlefish
The best time to fish for Paddlefish is usually early spring or summer, depending on the area. This marks their spawning migration, when the fish are plentiful and females are carrying roe. In addition to the season, factors like water temperature, flow rate, and dam release schedules may affect their movement.
If you’re looking to keep a Paddlefish, be mindful of the legal harvest season for them. This varies from state to state, and it can also vary depending on the lake and what section of river you’re fishing in. Check local regulations ahead of time and contact your fishing guide to make sure you’ll get the most out of your trip while staying compliant.
Paddlefish: Millions of Years, One of a Kind
From their prehistoric looks to their decadent roe and impressive size, there’s plenty about Paddlefish to leave you in awe. It’s not so surprising when you think of the eons that went into developing these fish.
What’s more, the experience of snagging them is almost as unique as these fish themselves. From the record-breaking lakes of Oklahoma to the wild mountain waters of Montana, fishing for Paddlefish is sure to be memorable. Chances are, you never caught anything like a “Spoonbill” before. And you won’t catch anything like them again – unless, of course, you come back for more!
Have you ever landed one of these prehistoric monsters? Any tips to share? We’d love to hear your Paddlefish stories in the comments below!
The post How to Go Fishing for Paddlefish: The Complete Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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