Emergency Fish Salvage Order in effect for North County Park Lake

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – The Missouri Department of Conservation authorized an Emergency Fish Salvage Order for North County Park Lake in Cape Girardeau County Park. The order is in effect now through September 30.

The Emergency Fish Salvage Order will enable anglers to remove as many fish as possible to minimize waste.

MDC enacted the order due to the lake developing a major leak on the north side which caused the water depth to drop substantially.

During the order, anglers may take all species of fish from the lake (excluding endangered species listed in 3 CSR 10-4.111 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri).

In addition to fishing methods already authorized for the lake, the order also enables anglers to take fish by gig, snagging, grabbing, dip net, throw net, seine and by hand during hours when North County Park Lake in Cape Girardeau County is open for public use and fishing.

These temporary parameters will allow for utilization of the existing fish community prior to a fish kill occurring due to a shallow lake and lack of oxygen.

The parameters apply only to North County Park Lake in Cape Girardeau County.

All other permit, season, and limit requirements will remain in effect.

Anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must still hold a valid Missouri Fishing Permit to fish at the lake.

Cape Girardeau County North Park Lake is about 8.1 acres. It is owned by Cape Girardeau County. The fishery is managed by MDC through the Community Assistance Program (CAP).

The lake is available for fishing Sunday-Saturday from 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.