Also winter trout program
Local fishing provides year-round
fun
St. Louis-area kids and their families
have some great fishing opportunities close to home
during the winter months. There are beginner lessons,
improved lakes and even a chance to fish for rainbow
and brown trout.
These
opportunities are part of a continuing program by
the Missouri Department of Conservation. The idea
is to let city residents fish without traveling out
of the metro area.
The enhanced opportunities get a big
boost this month when the MDC's Winter Trout Program
gets started. During November, 17 lakes in metro St.
Louis will be stocked with both rainbow and brown
trout for winter fishing.
From November through January, over
36,000 catchable-sized trout are put into the local
lakes. Rules in seven of the lakes call for "catch
and release" while 10 lakes allow the anglers of keep
up to 4 fish per day.
(For
names and locations of the "winter trout" lakes, see
sidebar below.)
Another important part of the winter
fishing program is the chance for kids to get up to
seven free lessons on how to fish. The "Go Fish" lessons
are given at four different locations in the metro
area.
There's even a chance for beginning
anglers to borrow fishing gear. That way, you don't
have to spend a lot of money getting ready to fish
before you decide whether fishing is something you
want to do.
Included
in the local fishing chances is a continuing program
of upgrading the local lakes so they can handle an
increasing variety of fish for your entertainment
and fun.
Kevin Meneau is the MDC's fisheries
management biologist for the St. Louis region. He's
stationed at the Busch Conservation Area headquarters
in St. Charles County.
He was involved in the start of the
winter trout stocking program in 1989. At that time,
stocking was done only in St. Louis City. It's been
expanded throughout the metro area to include 17 different
lakes.
"The goal of the Fish St. Louis program
is to let residents fish close to their homes," Meneau
said.
A
large "Fish St. Louis" brochure includes not only
lake locations but also recommended fishing sites
on area streams and rivers.
(You can get a complete rundown of
opportunities for urban fishing by going to the Fish
St. Louis website at www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis/fish.
Or you can pick up a color brochure at an MDC office.
For information, call (636) 441-4554.)
Winter Trout Program
Meneau
said the winter trout restocking program has been
very popular over the years. Since starting in 1989
in St. Louis, stocking schedules have been set up
in eight other Missouri cities.
Most of the trout stocked in St. Louis
lakes are in the 9"-11" length range. However, Meneau
said some get up to 18" and over.
This year, about 20% of the fish will
be brown trout and the rest rainbow trout.
Meneau said the brown trout were needed
because the number of rainbow trout grown was reduced
when spring floods cleared out one of the breeding
raceways.
Anglers seeking to fish for trout in
"catch and release" lakes don't need state trout stamps.
However, if you fish in lakes that allow you to harvest
fish, a stamp is needed. They cost $7.
To check the restocking schedule, call
the Fish Stocking Hot Line at (636) 300-9651.
"Go Fish" Angler Lessons
If
you're just getting started with fishing, you might
like to take some lessons.
"Go Fish" lessons are offered at four
locations in the St. Louis area. They are at the Bellefontaine
Conservation Area in north St. Louis County, at Forest
Park in the city, at Suson Park in south St. Louis
County and at the Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles
County.
There are seven "hooks" or lessons
in the series. They range from the basics of fishing,
specialized fishing techniques and even the cleaning
and cooking of fish.
Meneau said at least half of each lesson
is taken up with actual fishing. "We want the kids
taking the lessons to be actually fishing, catching
fish and having fun," he said.
(For information on "Go Fish," call
(636) 441-4554.)
Equipment Loan Program
Kids don't have to own their own fishing
equipment to get started. Fishing rods and reels are
available for loan at three different locations in
the St. Louis area.
The loan sites are at the Busch Conservation
Area, the Powder Valley Nature Center and the Forest
Park office. To reserve equipment either call (636)
441-4554 or (314) 877-1309.
There is no charge for getting loaned
equipment. Special equipment for the handicapped is
also available.
Upgraded Local Lakes
One of the things that has helped improving
fishing opportunities was the MDC program for upgrading
and improving local lakes.
Among the lakes improved in recent
years are Jefferson Lake in Forest Park, Boathouse
Lake in Carondelet Park, Fairgrounds Park Lake and
January-Wabash Lake in the City of Ferguson.
Meneau said much of the improvement
is in adding to the depth of the lakes. Some local
lakes had been only four feet deep and that limits
the variety of fish that can survive. When lakes are
increased in depth to up to 15 feet, it means the
MDC can stock additional types of fish, such as bass,
sunfish and bluegills.
