The trucks have started to arrive regularly at select lakes throughout the St. Louis region, and across the state stocking has begun as the winter trout fishing program returns with thousands of fish for local anglers to land.
Where do they all come from? It’s a fair question, and state Department of Conservation hatcheries are the answer. But those looking for a more in-depth experience are welcome to participate in an upcoming virtual program that tracks the fish from eggs to the truck.
The free online program is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, originating from the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center near Branson. Advanced registration is required at mdc.mo.gov under the events tab. Registered participants will receive an emailed link to the program.
“Hatchery Tour: The Hatchery in Pictures” will be led by naturalist Leah Eden, who will explain and illustrate the step-by-step processes for raising rainbow and brown trout. She also will provide an update on construction of the new Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center at the western end of Lake Taneycomo.
The hatchery there is closed to the public while the new center is being built, with an expected opening in 2025. Shepherd of the Hills is the largest hatchery operated by the conservation department and produces and stocks more than 350,000 pounds of trout each year. About 80 percent of those fish are released in Lake Taneycomo.
The water released from the White River dam, which forms Table Rock Lake, flows into Lake Taneycomo at a consistent 48 degrees, which is ideal for sustaining a population of trout year-round.
For those who want to catch trout closer to home, 17 lakes in the St. Louis region will receive about 40,000 rainbow trout this winter. The nearest opportunity for Jefferson County anglers is at the three lakes at Suson Park off Wells Road, across the Meramec River. The lakes have fishing platforms and handicap accessibility. Anglers with a valid fishing license and annual trout tag may keep up to four fish daily.
Other lakes in St. Louis County and city that will be stocked include Boathouse Lake at Carondelet Park and O’Fallon Park Lake in St. Louis City, January-Wabash Park Lake in Ferguson, Koeneman Park Lake in Jennings, St. Ann Lake, Tilles Park Lake, Vlasis Park Lake in Ballwin and Walker Lake in Kirkwood. Five lakes at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County are stocked, and Union City Lake in Franklin County gets fish as well.
Some of the lakes allow anglers to keep what they catch, while others are catch-and-release only through Jan. 31. In those lakes, fishermen may only use artificial lures and flies and must return their catch immediately, unharmed, until that date. Beginning Feb. 1, any bait is legal for a four-fish limit each day.
Anglers must use only one pole and line at a time, and chum of any type is prohibited at all locations. The conservation department stocks additional fish throughout the season. Updates are available by phone (636-300-9651) following each stocking, with information on the most recent number of fish added to each lake.
Most of the fish that are stocked in area lakes are about 12 inches long, but the program includes occasional “brood stock” lunkers that may weigh up to 10 pounds.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and is the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.