Urban Winter Trout Program

[flyfishmaster]

This is just a reminder that that the Urban Winter Trout Program for lakes will be opening on Saturday Nov 1, 2008. If you are in the St. Louis area you can call the Stocking Hotline at (636) 300-9651 to find out if your favorite lake had received their fish yet and the number of fish.

There are other hotlines for the rest of the state but I don't have the phone numbers.

Here is a link to the whole program: Click here

later,

FFM

[BredMan]

Ahhh yes, thanks for the reminder. I participate in the Winter Trout program at the August A Busch WA and have for some years now. What a challenge to go head to head with some of the best trout fisherman of all times. Hey all you have to do is ask a few of them! And be ready for a 5-hour BS session too!

I live fairly close so it's a good way to dodge work early and get some fishing in during those cold nice days. But I must say, the best part of the Winter Trout program is the circus atmosphere it generates. There are some real clowns that show up and anyones guess what they will do sometimes. I've seen a guy do the 'Polar Bear' plunge at one lake (one too many Budweisers), and those who limit and hide their catch and continue to fish for more, and those I call "Lake Jumpers" who limit on one lake and then move to another and limit again, people that have no clue what the rules are or fish without a license, and trash gets thrown everywhere.

Two all time favorites of mine;

--- Watching the fish truck dump the fish in the lake and right after the truck pulls away all of the yahoos cram the spot to fish or use nets to get the ones close to the shoreline that are still disoriented from the ride.

--- As a conservation agent showed up once and was checking my license people immediately recognized his uniform and truck. All of a sudden several people made a wild dash for the parking lot and left. The agent was rather amused and so was I. He said to me, "I guess their wife or girlfriend called with some emergency or we both have a bad case of body oder." Cracked me up!

I do enjoy having the chance to do some fishing during those months and I generally take advantage of the week days. The weekends are reserved for the circus performers. For the most part you just have to over looked some people and go about your way. People that break the rules usually know the rules. Not worth an angry confrontation.

[patfish]

I called the stocking number this morning and just now. So far, no trout. Maybe the guy that does the recordings doesn't work weekends. Did anyone go today? May go somehwere tomorrow.

[jjtroutbum]

I'll be checking the number and am planning to get by Suson (sp?) sooner than later.

[BredMan]

According to one source, fish are stocked in the lakes depending on the weather and water conditions. Not always does the water temps or weather cooperate with the stocking program. Couple of the lakes I have fished are somewhat shallow. Extended warm weather keeps the water too warm. That's also the reverse when it does get colder. We haven't had the northern blast of cold yet!

[flyfishmaster]

bredman,

I agree I don't think they will be stocking for a few more weeks because of the higher lake temp.

later,

ffm

[snagged in outlet 3]

I live up the road from Busch and just got back from there. Lake 28 had no sign of trout. A couple nice bluegill though . There were no fish dimpling the surface which is typical when it has trout. A lot of people were at 21 but I didn't fish. Just watched and saw nothing caught and no dimples. The water was warm to the touch if that means anything. I'll stay on top of it as best I can and report what's up.

SIO3

[Thom]

SIO

I was at Busch today also and the people at the vending station said that the water was still too warm and they hadn't stocked any fish yet. I wouldn't be surprised that they wait a week or so. Kind of interesting that there was a guy at 21 with a wire mesh basket coming out. The lake is catch and release for all species in that lake until early March. His car was parked directly in front of the sign that said exactly that in bold letters.

What time were you there. I left around 2pm.

Thom

[patfish]

Okay, I was at 21 Sunday as well. There from 730 to 1130 am. Between the 5 of us, one gill and one small bass. Just knew it was too good to be true for the trout to be stocked already - weather was awesome and its always nice to hang with my buddies - fish or no fish.

Who was the guy I talked to fishing on the dam side of 21 about 11 or so that I asked about the "thingamabobber" he was using? Didn't get his name.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Between a baptism and my daughters soccer game I didn't get there till 3:00. I went to both lakes and only fished at 28 for a couple minutes. Yeah those lakes are clearly posted. Wasn't worth getting my truck all dusty. Let me know if you guys hear anything and I'll do the same.

SIO3