Keith Lusher 11.05.26
Missouri anglers will have to wait a little longer for winter trout fishing at urban lakes after warm water temperatures prompted the state to postpone its annual stocking program.
The Missouri Department of Conservation typically begins stocking rainbow trout during the first week of November. Fisheries staff now plan to begin during the second week, giving lake temperatures more time to cool.
Each fall, the department stocks more than 70,000 rainbow trout in more than 30 urban lakes across Missouri. The fish are raised at four state hatcheries before being transported to lakes in urban and conservation areas.
The program gives anglers a chance to catch trout close to home during the colder months. This year, though, unseasonably warm conditions have kept water temperatures higher than fisheries staff would like.
“Trout are a cold-water species and require water temperatures around 55 to 60 degrees,” said MDC Hatchery Systems Manager Clint Hale. “Entering waters warmer than what they’re accustomed to can be a shock to their system, ultimately resulting in their death.”
A worker handles a net full of trout during a 2025 stocking. (MDC)
Hale said cooler weather expected in the coming week should help lower water temperatures enough for stocking to begin.
“Our goal is to stock healthy trout that can thrive all winter to provide anglers as many fishing opportunities as possible,” he said.
Once the trout are stocked, anglers should pay attention to the regulations at the lake they plan to fish. Many locations allow anglers to keep trout as soon as they are stocked, while others are catch-and-release only until Feb. 1.
Missouri’s winter trout stocking locations include Jefferson Lake in St. Louis’ Forest Park, where rainbow trout are stocked throughout the colder months
Fishing permit requirements also apply. Missouri residents between the ages of 16 and 64 generally need a valid fishing permit. Anglers of all ages must also have a Missouri trout permit if they plan to keep trout.
Permits can be purchased from vendors across the state, through the free MO Fishing mobile app, or online from MDC.
For a list of stocking locations and more information about regulations, visit the department’s winter trout fishing areas page.
