Lake Girardeau

This 162-acre lake located in Cape Girardeau County supports a fair largemouth bass population.  Largemouth bass remain very numerous, although most are below 12 inches long.  A few bass over six pounds are present.  Anglers are encouraged to harvest up to their daily limit of six bass below 12" inches to allow those remaining fish to grow larger. Largemouth Bass 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" 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 continue 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.