Anglers, hunters welcome new seasons today

Along with American flags and barbecues, Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of black bass fishing season.

Called "the unofficial start of fishing season" by Ken Westof the Missouri Conservation Department, black bass fishing season starts today and lasts until the end of February. Anglers will hit local waters today looking for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, all common to Missouri.

"Just getting into a bass boat is an adrenaline rush," Bass Busters SEMO president David Bortner said. "And once you've gotten your first big bass, you're always looking for that bigger fish."

The Bass Busters SEMO club, open to bass fishermen of varying skill levels, holds monthly tournaments through the summer and is a good way for people who want to learn to bass fish to get started, Bortner said. The club sponsors its six best anglers to go on to state and regional tournaments.

For local fishermen looking for a good place to take the boat out to this weekend, there's no need to look far, Bortner said.

"There are about 15 extremely good places to fish out here," Bortner said. "Kentucky Lake is awesome."

Other popular areas, according to Bortner, include Lake Girardeau and several sites in Illinois like Lake Kinkaid, Cedar Lake and Lake of Egypt.

Fishing permits can be purchased at the Southeast Regional Conservation Department office in Cape Girardeau, Kmart, K's Merchandise, Wal-Mart and several Rhodes 101 convenience stores in Cape Girardeau. Fishing permits are $11 for Missouri residents and last through the end of February.

For outdoorsmen who prefer a rifle over a reel, Memorial Day weekend also marks the start of squirrel season. Small game permits are $9 for residents, or a hunting and fishing license can be purchased together for $19.

Chris Barrows of Foutz's Hunting and Fishing Shop recommends looking in moist areas near creeks, or near Mulberry trees for prime squirrel hunting. The most common types of squirrels in Southeast Missouri are the fox and gray squirrels, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 226