MDC now stocking rainbow trout in St. Louis area lakes, including lunkers up to 10lbs

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
12/14/2018
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — This winter, St. Louis-area trout anglers might need to buy some heavier tackle, according to Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Fisheries Management Biologist Kevin Meneau.

During winter months, the metro St. Louis area is a great place to fish for rainbow trout, thanks to the MDC’s winter trout program.

Winter trout season for MDC’s St. Louis Urban Fishing Program started in November. That’s good news for trout chasers who now need travel only minutes to pursue their passion rather than hours.

“The whole goal of the program is to bring fish to the people, so they don’t have to drive to an Ozark trout stream or trout park,” said Meneau.

From November through February, MDC stocks rainbow trout in 12 St. Louis City and County lakes, as well as in five lakes at the MDC August A. Busch Conservation Area on Route D in St. Charles.

The rainbows bound for the St. Louis area are spawned and raised at MDC’s Montauk Hatchery, southeast of Licking. “We’ll stock close to 40,000 fish this year,” Meneau said.

And this season anglers had better bring some larger nets. While the average size of the fish is about 11 inches, Meneau said that this year MDC will also be stocking some extra-large whoppers as well. “Some fish will weigh up to 10 pounds,” said Meneau. “There’ll be some real tackle testers.”

Area lakes stocked with winter trout include:

  • Carondelet Park Boathouse Lake in St. Louis
  • January-Wabash Lake in Ferguson
  • Jefferson Lake in Forest Park
  • Koeneman Park Lake in Jennings
  • O’Fallon Park Lake in St. Louis
  • Suson Park lakes 1, 2, and 3 in St. Louis County
  • Tilles Park Lake in St. Louis County
  • Walker Lake in Kirkwood
  • Wild Acres Park Lake in Overland
  • Vlasis Park Lake in Ballwin
  • August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area lakes 3, 21, 22, 23 and 28

Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, some lakes are catch-and-release only, and some are catch-and-keep. After Feb. 1, trout may be harvested from all lakes. Anglers should consult the St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program brochure for details, possession limits and bait restrictions, which is available at MDC offices or at https://goo.gl/T9Qpp6 , or check regulations posted at the lakes. All trout anglers between age 16 and 64 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit to participate. Anglers wishing to catch and keep trout must also possess a trout permit.

MDC provides a chance for anglers to keep on top of trout stocking efforts in the St. Louis area.

“The fish stocking hotline has become very popular,” Meneau said, “and we update it right after we finish stocking for the day. It’s toll free from anywhere in the St. Louis area. There’s a recorded message that tells when we stocked, where we stocked, and what fish we stocked.”

Anglers should call the hotline at 636-300-9651 to get the latest information.

“These close-to-home opportunities make it easy for a quick trout fishing excursion after work, or during an activity-packed weekend. It also makes trout fishing much friendlier on the fuel budget,” said Meneau. Plus, this season, those lurking lunkers provide even more incentive.

For information about fishing, go online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing