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Catch-and-release winter trout fishing season underway in Sedalia and St. Joseph
Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) on Nov. 1 stocked rainbow trout in community lakes at Sedalia and St. Joseph for catch-and-release fishing. The stockings give anglers a winter option for fishing and connecting with nature. After Feb. 1, anglers with proper permits can catch and keep up to four trout.
However, during the Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 catch-and-release portion of winter trout fishing at those waters, only flies and unscented artificial lures may be used by anglers. Natural baits such as worms, scent baits, corn, hot dogs, shrimp, and chicken livers may not be used during the catch-and-release season on these specified waters. Scented soft plastic lures are also prohibited. Anglers fishing in a pond or lake stocked under MDC’s winter trout fishing program should review signage posted with specific regulations for those waters.
At Liberty Park Pond, other species of fish caught during this time, such as channel catfish, may be kept. But anglers may not use the natural baits to fish for them. Trout were stocked in the pond under MDC’s partnership with Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department.
The fishing at Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond is catch-and-release for all species year round. Everyday Pond is on the Missouri Western State University campus. Those trout were stocked in partnerships with the university and with St. Joseph Parks, Recreation, and Civic Facilities Department.
The pan-sized trout stocked were raised at MDC’s Bennett Spring and Chesapeake fish hatcheries. Some lunkers from hatchery brood stock were also released in the lakes. The winter trout program gives anglers a chance to catch a cold-water species close to home. Trout are not native to Missouri, but water temperatures are cool enough and oxygen levels high enough in winter for trout to survive.
A catch-and-release season at Liberty Park Pond, Krug Park Lagoon, and Everyday Pond from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 gives anglers a chance to enjoy fishing at the lakes throughout winter.
Starting Feb. 1, anglers with valid fishing permits and a Missouri trout permit may keep up to four trout at these lakes in Sedalia and St. Joseph. 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.
Information about fishing at Liberty Park Pond is available by calling MDC’s Sedalia Office, 660-530-5500. For information about winter trout fishing at Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond, call MDC’s St. Joseph office at 816-271-3100.
For more information on trout fishing throughout Missouri, visit http://mdc.mo.gov.