
Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
Stay in Touch with MDC news, newsletters, events, and manage your subscription
Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
St. LOUIS, Mo.—Have you been yearning for trout with bowtie pasta and spring vegetables? Or perhaps crispy golden trout stuffed with crabmeat and finished with oregano? Maybe you just want the plain smoked variety.
The good news is you can now bring rainbow trout to your table in any form you like. Catch and keep urban trout season starts Feb. 1.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds St. Louis area anglers that the start of February begins catch and keep trout fishing season at MDC Urban Winter Trout Fishing Lakes. It’s an ideal opportunity to acquire delicious, fresh, and locally-sourced fish for the dinner table.
MDC normally stocks almost 40,000 rainbow trout each November through January in 12 St. Louis City and County Lakes and Union City Lake in Franklin County, along with five lakes in the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles. MDC also adds several brood stock lunker trout—some as large as 10 lbs.—into the mix at its winter trout lakes.
Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, some lakes are catch-and-release only, and some are catch-and-keep. However, beginning Feb. 1, trout may be taken from all winter trout lakes. Rainbow trout are not native to the area but in winter the water is cold enough to support them. MDC’s winter trout program provides anglers a chance to enjoy a hard-fighting fish close to home. Trout anglers can feel free to use natural or prepared baits as well when keeping the fish.
Anglers should consult the St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program brochure for details, possession limits and bait restrictions, which is available at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zd5, 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.
Area lakes stocked with winter trout include:
February is the perfect time for St. Louis area anglers to bring home fresh trout and try out their own favorite dishes, or find some new recipes on the MDC website.
For information about fishing, go online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.