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Winter trout fishing begins at three Kansas City area locations
KANSAS CITY Mo -- A green and silver fish splashed with crimson is back in Kansas City for the winter. Rainbow trout were recently stocked at some area lakes to offer the public additional winter fishing opportunities.
About 1,000 trout were stocked on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at two lakes at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex in Liberty, 2200 E. Old 210 Highway, one-half-mile east of Missouri 291. The trout fishing there is a cooperative effort between the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Liberty Parks and Recreation Department.
Chaumiere Lake in the Kansas City park system, at Northeast 43rd Street and North Indiana Avenue, also received almost 1,000 trout.
The Plover and Coot Lakes at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area near Lee’s Summit received about 2,000 trout each. Also at the Reed Area, the Honker pond open to youths age 15 and under was stocked with 200 trout.
Trout are not native to Missouri and cannot survive warm summer water temperatures in the Kansas City region. However in winter when the water cools, the trout can survive and they provide unique fishing opportunities in small urban ponds or lakes.
The daily limit is four trout per angler. Statewide fishing permit regulations apply, and anglers of all ages who keep the trout they catch must have a $7 Missouri Trout Permit.
Most trout stocked in the lakes are 11 to 12 inches long, a good size for catching and eating. They were raised at the MDC hatchery at Bennett Spring State Park.
Anglers often use prepared baits with scent that attracts trout to catch them, said Bob Mattucks, an MDC fishery biologist. Artificial lures such as spoons and jigs are effective. Fly rod anglers also do well with flies or micro jigs.
Three additional trout stockings are scheduled during the coming winter months for the lakes at Fountain Bluffs and Chaumiere Lake. Two additional stockings are slated for lakes at the Reed Area.
Advance dates are not given for trout stocking at the urban lakes because weather often dictates the schedule. But a hotline is available that gives anglers the latest date when trout were stocked. Call 816-525-0300, ext. 4001.