Grand opening planned for fishing at Cape County Park North Lake

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Grab your fishing license and a pole and go fishing Friday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Cape County Park North. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Cape Girardeau County entered into a Community Assistance Program (CAP) agreement earlier this year, and fisheries biologists say the lake on the north side of the park is ready to fish.

“Fishing at the lake is improved from stocking and the addition of habitat structures,” said Jason Crites, MDC fisheries management biologist. “This event will be a fun opportunity for us to interact with people who fish at the lake.”

Crites said poles and bait will be available for people who don’t have gear. Anyone who fishes that is older than 16, including parents helping their children fish, will need to have their fishing license. The event will include demonstrations about fish biology, casting and a backyard bass game.

As part of the CAP agreement, MDC conducted fish and habitat management, stocked channel catfish and red ear sunfish, and placed brush piles around the lake and fishing dock. Brush piles give smaller fish places to hide, which gives them a chance to grow larger instead of becoming food for bigger fish.

“One of our goals at MDC is to provide close-to-home fishing opportunities and this location will give lots of people in Cape Girardeau and Jackson a very convenient place to fish,” Crites said.

The lake on the south side of the park is also part of the CAP agreement. The renovation on the south side will require draining the lake, dirt work, and enhanced infrastructure.  Once renovation is complete that lake will also be stocked with fish. 

Cape County Park North is located just east of I-55 Highway along Kingshighway. More information about fishing opportunities in Missouri can be found at www.mdc.mo.gov/fish. For more information about CAP agreements, contact MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.