MDC's winter trout fishing begins at four Kansas City lakes

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is providing rainbow trout. Now anglers need Mother Nature to bring a warming trend and melt ice so the feisty fish can be caught from four area lakes. MDC stocked more than 8,000 trout on Thursday, Nov. 20. The trout provide winter fishing opportunities in urban areas.

Learn how to catch rainbows at MDC’s Discover Nature Fishing clinic. Experts will teach tackle, methods and lures to catch winter trout 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Bass Pro Shop in Independence, Mo. The clinic is free but space is limited. Please register by calling (816) 622-0900.

MDC crews had to chop holes in ice to stock the fish, said Bob Mattucks, MDC fisheries management biologist. But winter generally has warming trends so chances are good the ice will clear and anglers can begin catching trout.

Lakes stocked include:

• James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, Coot Lake and Plover Lake each received 2,500 trout. Honker Pond, open only to youth fishing, received 500 trout. Fishing is not allowed at the Reed Area in Lee's Summit until Nov. 22.
• Lakes at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex in Liberty received a combined 1,000 trout. The park is at is at 2200 E. Old 210 Highway, east of Missouri 291.
• Chaumiere Lake in the Kansas City park system received 800 trout. That park and is near Interstate 35 and the intersection of North Cleveland Avenue and Northeast 43rd Terrace in Kansas City, North.

Rainbow trout require cool water year round and are not native to the metro area. But in winter, water temperatures fall and the stockings provide a unique opportunity for anglers.

Anglers can catch rainbow trout with spinning, spin casting or fly fishing tackle. Small spinners, flies or scented baits are all effective lures for catching trout.

Lakes at the Reed Area will be stocked twice more with trout this winter. Fountain Bluff lakes and Chaumiere Lake will be stocked three more times. Anglers can check the winter trout fishing hotline for Kansas City by calling 816-525-0300, ext. 4001.

Most of the trout are 12-inches or more long and good pan-sized fish for eating. They were raised at MDC’s Bennett Spring Hatchery.

Statewide trout fishing regulations apply. All Missouri residents over age 15 and under 65 must have a valid fishing permit, and all non-residents over age 15 must have a fishing permit. The daily limit is four trout. To keep trout, all anglers of all ages must have a Missouri trout permit.

More information about trout fishing in Missouri is available at http://www.mdc.mo.gov.