Lake Girardeau

Largemouth bass remain very abundant at Lake Girardeau, but most are less than 12 inches.  A few bass over six pounds are present.  Bass reproduction and survival has been very good, so in 2018 anglers are encouraged to harvest up to their daily limit of six bass below 12 inches to allow those remaining fish to grow larger.  They may be found along the outer edges of aquatic vegetation such as water willow and other floating leaf vegetation in the spring and summer. Bluegill angling should be good with a few fish larger than 8 inches.  Redear sunfish fishing should continue to be good.  Fish 7-10 inches are abundant, and master angler-size fish are also common.  Anglers should target these along shallow water and shoreline vegetation during the spawning months of May and June.  Channel Catfish are also a good bet and are stocked annual at 30 per acre.  Preferred baits include chicken livers, nightcrawlers, prepared baits, and cut bait.  The black crappie population continues to consist of low-density high quality population with reports of several fish being caught greater than 12 inches.  Crappie angling is best using minnows or jigs during April and May.