Conservation agents in northwest Missouri this summer issued citations for illegal fishing methods to several noodlers who were grabbing large catfish from natural cavities under banks. This was in small, easily-waded streams.

Conservation Agent Eric Abbott made arrests on the Tarkio River in Atchison County where the river was only 20 yards wide but noodlers possessed flathead catfish topping 40 pounds.

“It’s sad because most of the folks doing this don’t realize they’re taking the brood fish and that it takes many years for these fish to grow that size,” Abbott said. “The fishery cannot stay healthy when those fish are taken year after year.”