scooper54

Thanks for your answer and the link. Like Asian carp, the snakehead will likely take hold in Missouri eventually. In Virginia, if you catch a snakehead, by law you are required to kill it.

Does anyone know if snakeheads have been reported in Missouri? I know they're established as far north as Maryland and in the lower Potomac around D.C. The climate in those locations is not much different than Missouri, particularly southern MO, so I would assume they could survive Missouri winters. Just curious . . .

A little different, but similar "take" as yours with respect to the trout lakes on the Kansas side of the KC Metro. Instead of "feeding the Bosnians," the urban trout program in Kansas could be called "feed the Asians." In my two trips to trout-stocked lakes there, a group of older Asian folks (around 55-75) have staked out certain choice spots on the lakes. They are either family or friends and converse only in their native language. Most wear masks, even through they're outside. Being retired, I only fish these public waters during the week, in order to avoid the weekend crowds. Yet, the occasions I've been there, so have they. Each one "maxs outs" on the number of rods they are allowed -- three--all either with some sort of bait under a bobber or sometimes one rod/reel with a lure (spinners, usually). According to a park worker I spoke to, they're at the park gate when it opens at 6 am. And from what I can determine, they leave only after they've caught their limits. I wouldn't have the patience they do. They're definitely not a part of the "catch and release" crowd, although I don't think they're exceeding their limits because the park police patrol the area pretty aggressively (my license was checked). To each his own. I never use bait--I enjoy fishing for the sport and challenge it provides, and to be outside. I also occasionally keep fish for dinner, but that's secondary. These folks appear to be strictly "subsistence fishermen." Nothing wrong with that, I guess. Just a different "mindset" and culture.

Now, that's my kind of competition, especially the warm Stag/Natty Light! Disappointed that warm Buckhorn is not the consolation prize! So, how do you determine the winner?? Largest fish? Or most fish caught in a designated time period?

The one lake in Columbia that is part of the Urban Trout Program, Bethel Park Lake, also has a "delayed harvest" policy similar to the policy you described in St. Louis. The lakes on the Missouri side of the KC Metro do not. On the Kansas (Johnson County) side, they give the trout a "three day reprieve" after stocking before they permit "catch and keep."

Thanks for the information. That all makes sense. If I were to guess, I think these stockers have been eating food in the hatchery with the carotenoid pigments, prior to being stocked. I should have, but didn't, check the stomach contents of the above pictured trout. But, given the timelines you mentioned, I doubt they've been in the lake long enough--and eating crayfish and other crustaceans-- to have given their flesh such a bright salmon/orange color. Thanks again.

Earlier this week, I kept one trout for dinner that I caught in one of the stocked lakes on the Kansas side. It was large enough to fillet. Much to my surprise, the flesh of this "stocker" trout did not have the usual pasty white color of recently stocked hatchery fish, but rather was a bright reddish orange, much like that of a salmon (see attached photo). I assumed this is likely due to the fact that this fish had been in the lake for a period long enough to have eaten prey living in the lake (e.g. crayfish, insects, small fish) and the flesh absorb carotin pigments from the prey it consume. Or, is it possible that hatcheries provide trout food that turns their flesh salmon-colored?

LOL, being a native Missourian, and Mizzou grad, I agree! And yes, as far as I’m concerned they can have ALL those fish-murdering giant aquatic weasels!

This is the first year I‘ve fished these urban lakes, so I’m still “learning the ropes.” So far, I don’t see a consistent distribution pattern of stocked trout in these bodies of water. For instance, in the two lakes on the Missouri side, the best fishing has been along the dams. In the Kansas lake, there appears to be more trout in the upper, more shallow end of the lake. But, to be honest, I haven’t tried the dam area of this lake, which has a surface area of about 135 acres and is substantially larger than the two Missouri lakes. I would assume as the water warms up, any remaining trout would tend to congregate in the deeper, cooler water close to dam. As for your question about dry flies, I have to qualify my answer by saying am not a fly fisherman, but do try to read about the topic when I can. I think the answer is “yes,” based on surface activity I have noticed in all three lakes I have fished. Given how cold these lakes are, I don’t think bass or bluegill are coming to the surface slurping bugs. That being said, it’s also pretty cool to have much insect activity, although I recently read that midges will hatch as long as water temperatures remain above 34 degrees (F). Taking that into consideration, the surface activity I've seen is probably trout rising for hatching midges.

I lived and worked in Kansas City during the '90s until my employment necessitated a move east. After 20+ years there, my wife and I retired and moved back to KC. For me, as someone who really enjoys trout fishing, one of most pleasant surprises in moving back to the KC area is the fact that we have two lakes that are within a 20 minute drive from our house that are stocked with rainbows by the Missouri Department of Conservation as part of its "Urban Trout Program." Although the fish are "dumb stockers," they've been fun to catch. It's a "put and take" fishery, as any trout not kept will eventually succumb once the temperatures elevate in the lakes due to summer heating. We release most to be caught by other anglers, but have kept some for the table. The program is so successful, that the state of Kansas has purchased trout from Missouri hatcheries and stocked lakes on the Kansas side of the KC metro and other locations in the state. Attached are a couple of photos of fish we kept. Most of the rainbows ranged from 12-14,” although the biggest one I caught was from the Kansas side and it came in at 16". Many "urban anglers" use commercial bait (primarily Powerboat) under a small bobber. A small minority are fly fisherman. I use an ultralight spinning outfit and artificial lures (spinners, jigs etc.). I've been somewhat surprised that the most effective lures have been spoons.

"no one has to work anymore. I just haven't figured it out yet." Ain't that the truth. I retired two years ago at age 66 and, in the years leading up to retiring, looked forward to fishing during the week without crowds. Little did I know that, no matter what day of the week, I was going to have to deal with crowds. COVID changed things, including causing a big group of folks, like me, to retire.

Thank you, Al and Fishinwrench. You two are some of the more knowledgeable and helpful posters on this forum. Thanks again.

Is "small craft" defined anywhere? I would assume a canoe would fall into the category of "small craft," but I'm not certain.

https://flysandguides.com/fly-fishing-trips/our-guide-team/

We met at Barclay access back in 2018. I will be praying for you. Lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer and have a son who had blood cancer, so I have some idea of what you're going through. God bless . . .