Does Conservation Still Stock Ponds?

[FishinCricket]

Some old hillbilly around here told me that the Missouri Conservation Department will stock your pond.. Is this true? And if so.. Is it true that part of the agreement between the landowner and MoCons. is that the landowner has to provide public access to the pond?

Seems far fetched to me, but if it's true it's the perferct scenario for all us catch and release guys. I don't expect the answer to be yes, but if it is...

Is there a directory of these fishing spots?

[snagged in outlet 3]

Urban legend my friend. Keep searching you will find the answers grasshopper. I think it says something along the lines of "the MDC hopes and encourages the owner to allow friends and family to fish state stocked, private ponds and lakes" Sorry.

SIO3

[Trav]

Check this site out!

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/aquaguides/fishstock.pdf

Missouri Department of Conservation Private Pond Stocking Program

Fingerling largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish for the initial stocking of a new or renovated pond can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation through its private pond stocking program. To be eligible for participation in the program, a pond must meet the following requirements:

Water must be at least eight feet deep.

Water and shoreline must be protected from livestock use (ponds over five acres need not be fenced).

The dam must be constructed for permanency and water tightness, and the drainage area should be adequate but not excessive for water storage.

No undesirable fish may be present prior to stocking.

Water quality must be sufficient to ensure the survival of the stocked fish and sustain good fishing.

Stocking will not endanger species of conservation concern.

Landowners interested in participating in the program, complete a pond stocking application and submit it by July 15th. The pond is inspected, and if it meets the criteria, the landowner is informed of the number of fish that will be provided and the arrangements for fish distribution. Young-of-the year bluegill and channel catfish are distributed in September, and young-of-the-year largemouth bass are distributed the following June. Landowners participating in this program are not obligated to allow fishing or other uses of their land by the general public but the pond and its fish are subject to the regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

[MOFishwater]

Urban legend my friend. Keep searching you will find the answers grasshopper. I think it says something along the lines of "the MDC hopes and encourages the owner to allow friends and family to fish state stocked, private ponds and lakes" Sorry.

SIO3

Not sure if that post was meant in jest or not, I'm still waking up.

As Trav posted, they WILL indeed offer assistance to landowners. We actually had an agent come out to help us assess the current population in our lake and give us suggestions on what exactly he thought we needed to stock to maximize our carrying capacity. I'm pretty sure they gave us some stockers, we also purchase some fish at our local grain elevator on "Fish days" and toss them in every now and again, usually catfish and crappie. The MDC takes a lot of heat from folks on boards like these, but they are out there and willing to help if you follow the right channels. Cheers.

PS~ There is no requirement to allow public access to stocked ponds either as far as I know, never heard that.

[FishinCricket]

Thank you very much for the solid information and the quick reply guys.. I Like the conservation guys ( I live right down the road from one and grew up with his daughters) I respect them even if I don't respect the law they may be upholding (which I usually don't have a problem with either)

Thank again for the answer..

[Chief Grey Bear]

There is a reason we have those laws. And it stems from people like yourself.

[chub minnow]

It sounds like CadillacCricket is a catch and release guy, so what's wrong with that Chief? Sorry, I just don't understand your post. Can you enlighten me?

[Chief Grey Bear]

I Like the conservation guys....I respect them even if I don't respect the law they may be upholding (which I usually don't have a problem with either)

Thank again for the answer..

Unless I am reading this incorrectly, sounds to as if he has no regard for the rules and regulations that make for the great fishing we have in this state.

[chub minnow]

I wouldn't read is as an admission of guilt to breaking the law, but rather that he may not agree with some regulations. Specifically, those that allow people to catch and keep large creels of fish. That's how I took it. What is it Cadillac?