Kansas City and St. Louis Urban Fishing

A lake in Forest Park in St. Louis with tall buildings in the background
Kansas City and St. Louis Urban Fishing

Every year, tens of thousands of Kansas City and St. Louis residents enjoy quick, convenient access to fishing at nearby MDC-managed lakes. A network of more than 30 lakes in these urban areas means more opportunity for Missourians to fish locally than ever before.

The lakes feature a variety of fish, but what you catch will depend on the time of year and which lake you decide to visit. These lakes receive regular channel catfish and hybrid sunfish stockings.

Area regulations apply. Before casting off, be sure to check MDC guide boards at the location you plan to fish.

Check out Prospects Reports for more on fishing in St. Louis and Kansas City.

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Winter Trout

Every November, rainbow trout are stocked in more than 40 city lakes across Missouri. Find a lake near you!

The Kansas City area has 13 urban lakes.

Stocking

  • Channel catfish: Stocked at all lakes, April through September.
  • Trout: Stocked at selected lakes during the winter.

Call the Kansas City Fish Stocking Hotline at 816-525-0300 for the latest stocking dates.

The St. Louis area has 17 urban lakes spread out across St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Stocking

  • Channel catfish: Stocked at all lakes, March through September.
  • Trout: Stocked at selected lakes during the winter.

Call the St. Louis Fish Stocking Hotline at 636-300-9651 for fish stocking information.

Contact our regional office at 636-441-4554 for visitor information about all other public lakes and ponds in St. Louis.

MDC's St. Louis-area Conservation Fishing Centers (CFC) are not open to the public but do serve the following types of scheduled events: aquatic education fishing programs for adults or youth, youth programs such as Scout events and kids' fishing days, and disabled fishing programs for youth or adults.

These lakes are specially managed to increase success and provide good access. To maintain high success rates, all fish must be released, and the lakes are closed to public fishing. CFC lakes are available at no cost but must be reserved in advance. Although adults are encouraged to help kids fish, no adult fishing is allowed during youth events.

Who should participate?

  • Kids' (age 18 years or younger) groups including at least 10 people with little or no fishing experience (e.g., Scouts, clubs, camps)
  • Schools
  • Disabled angler groups

Where are the centers located?

How do I reserve a CFC lake?

To reserve a CFC lake for a group or school, call and ask for available dates. You’ll need to provide the group name, group size, and contact information. These lakes reserve fast, so allow at least two months prior to your event.

  • Bellefontaine CA, Missouri Department of Conservation, 314-877-6014
  • Busch CA, Missouri Department of Conservation, 636-441-4554
  • Forest Park, Missouri Department of Conservation, 314-301-1500
  • Suson Park Rearing Pond, St. Louis County Parks, 314-615-8484

What do I need to bring?

  • Signed lake reservation and/or special use permits, which will be provided to you
  • Fishing equipment (Free loaner rods and reels are available for Busch CA groups; complete a request when a lake is reserved.)
  • Terminal tackle (e.g., pliers, towels, extra hooks and bobbers)
  • Fishing bait
  • Drinking water
  • Camera

St. Louis Region Special Fishing Regulations

Statewide regulations apply for all St. Louis area lakes, except for those listed below.

Please check the posted regulation signs at the lakes before fishing.

August A. Busch Conservation Area Lakes
Lake Black Bass Daily Limit Black Bass Length Limit Minimum Catfish Combined Daily Limit Crappie Daily Limit Trout Daily Limit Muskie Daily Limit Muskie Length Limit Minimum All Others Combined Daily Limit
Lakes 1, 2, 15 Closed to public fishing. Reserved for aquatic education programs only.
Lake 12 Kids fishing only; daily limit = 2 fish combined
Lakes 3, 22, 23 2 15 inches 4 15 4 N/A N/A 10
Lakes 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 30, 34, 36, 37, 38 2 15 inches 4 15 N/A N/A N/A 10
Lakes 21, 28 2 15 inches 4 15 4** N/A N/A 10
Lake 33 2 18 inches 4 30 N/A N/A N/A 10
Lake 35 2 18 inches 4 15 N/A 1 36 inches 10
Lakes 16, 31, 32 Catch-and-release, artificial lures only
Lake 8 Closed to fishing

 

St. Louis Urban Fishing Program Lakes
Lake Black Bass Daily Limit Black Bass Length Limit Minimum Catfish Combined Daily Limit Crappie Daily Limit Trout Daily Limit All Others Combined Daily Limit
Benton Park,
Blackjack (Veteran’s Mem. Park),
Fairgrounds Park, Fountain (Bellefontaine Park),
Horseshoe (Carondelet Park),
Hyde Park,
Lafayette Park,
New Ballwin Park,
North (Willmore Park),
North Riverfront Park,
South (Willmore Park)		 2 18 inches 4 15 N/A 10
Boathouse (Carondelet Park),
Carp (Suson Park),
Island (Suson Park),
January-Wabash Park,
O’Fallon Park,
Vlasis Park		 2 18 inches 4 15 4* 10
Jefferson (Forest Park),
Tilles Park		 2 18 inches 4 15 4** 10
MDC and Community Assistance Program (CAP) Lakes
Lake Black Bass Daily Limit Black Bass Length Limit Minimum Flathead Catfish Length Limit Minimum Catfish Combined Daily Limit Crappie Daily Limit Trout Daily Limit All Others Combined Daily Limit
Bee Tree Park,
Sunfish (Spanish Lake Park)		 2 18 inches 24 inches 4 15 N/A 10
Bilderback 2 15 inches N/A 4 N/A N/A 10
Bluegill (Bellefontaine CA) 2 18 inches N/A N/A N/A N/A 10
Community Club,
Creve Coeur Park,
Jarville (Queeny Park), Kluesner Moore,
Preslar,
Simpson Park,
Skate Park,
Spanish Lake Park,
Upper Fabick,
Westside		 2 18 inches N/A 4 15 N/A 10
Fire, Prairie (Weldon Spring CA) 2 15 inches N/A 4 15 N/A 10
Koeneman Park,
Walker,
Wild Acres Park		 2 18 inches N/A 4 15 4** 10
Lincoln 12 N/A N/A 4 30 N/A 20
Logan CA lakes,
White CA lakes		 2 12-15 inch slot N/A 4 30 N/A 20
Glassberg CA, Young CA 2 12-15 inch slot N/A N/A N/A N/A 10
Port Hudson 2 18 inches N/A 4 30 N/A 10
Bass Pond, Catfish Pond, & Hybrid Pond (Bellefontaine CA),
Catfish Cove, Cypress, &
Fishtail (Forest Park),
Suson Park Rearing Pond		 Closed to public fishing. Reserved for aquatic education programs only.

* = Only 1 pole may be used. Use of chum is prohibited. November 1 – January 31.

** = Only 1 pole may be used. Use of chum is prohibited. Catch and release. Flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits only. November 1 – January 31.

N/A = Not available or no limit exists.

12-15 inch slot = all bass in the 12-15 inch size range must be released.

Growing Channel Catfish

Watch how channel catfish are raised at MDC's Chesapeake Hatchery.