St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program

Since 1989, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has stocked rainbow trout in the St. Louis Area, beginning in St. Louis City (as part of the St. Louis Urban Fishing Program) and later expanding to Kirkwood, Ferguson, Ballwin, Overland and the August A. Busch Conservation Area. This year, over 36,000 rainbow trout will be stocked in eleven St. Louis City and County lakes and five lakes on the August A, Busch Conservation Area. These fish will average 8- 10" and were raised at MDC hatcheries. Trout stocking begins in November and runs through February. Many lakes receive two stockings/month, while some (catch and release lakes) get stocked less. Stocking dates are not announced ahead of time, but are quickly reported to the Fish Stocking Hot Line (636)300-9651.

This year’s program lakes include:

• August A. Busch Conservation ARea lakes 21, 22,23,24, and 28.
• Suson Park lakes 1,2, and 3
• Tilles Park Lake (STLCO)
• Walker Lake (City of Kirkwood)
• Vlasis Park Lake (City of Ballwin)
• O'Fallon Park Lake (STL City)
• Boathouse Lake - Carondelet Park (STL City)
• Jefferson Lake - Forest Park (STL City)
• January-Wabash Lake (City of Ferguson)
• Wild Acres Park Lake (City of Overland)
  

St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program Rules and Regulations

All anglers:

• age 16 through 64 must possess a valid Missouri fishing permit.
• wanting to keep trout must possess a trout permit. {Catch-and-Release anglers do not need a trout permit}.
• are limited to 1 fishing pole, from November 1-January 31.
• may not use natural or scented baits as chum.
• no person shall continue to fish for any species after having four (4) trout in possession

At Tilles Park Lake, Jefferson Lake in Forest Park, Walker Lake, Wild Acres Park Lake, and August A. Busch Conservation Area lakes 21 and 28:

• all trout must be released, unharmed from November 1 - January 31.
• only artificial baits (no natural or scented baits) can be used.

At Suson Park lakes 1, 2, and 3, Vlasis Park Lake, January-Wabash Park Lake, O’Fallon Park Lake, Boathouse Lake in Carondelet Park, and August A. Busch Conservation Area lakes 22, 23, and 24, and, after January 31st, at Tilles, Jefferson, Walker, Wild Acres, and Busch lakes 21 and 28:

• daily limit = 4
• possession limit = 8
• any legal bait or lure can be used
• From November 1-January 31, no person shall continue to fish for any species after having four (4) trout in possession.