More Than 268,000 Hatchery Rainbows To Be Released Statewide

[Phil Lilley]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...re.3a2ae17.html

By RAY SASSER / The Dallas Morning News

rsasser@dallasnews.com

Texas Parks and Wildlife's popular winter trout stocking program begins next week at some community lakes in the Dallas area. The state agency is scheduled to release more than 268,000 rainbow trout in approximately 100 lakes and streams statewide.

These are hatchery rainbows that average about nine inches long. They're naïve sport fish that are ideal for youths or other novice anglers. Most of the stocking sites are small community lakes or ponds that are near metropolitan areas.

The fish are also stocked in the Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam and the Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Dam, both running streams that offer more of a traditional trout fishing experience.

Oklahoma likewise has a winter trout stocking program. Details are at www .wildlifedepartment.com.

The Guadalupe River is the only Texas stream where the water is cold enough for trout to survive the summer, and that's where anglers have the best chance of catching larger trout. Oklahoma's Lower Mountain Fork River at Beavers Bend State Park, near Broken Bow, is one of the state's top trout fisheries.

Water coming from the dam at Broken Bow Lake is cold enough that the fish can survive year round, and the Beavers Bend State Park area is one of Oklahoma's most scenic spots. It's less than a three-hour drive from Dallas.

Whether you decide to fish for trout in Oklahoma or Texas, the colorful rainbows are a light tackle angler's delight and a welcome change of pace from most cold-weather fishing.

Trout fishing at a glance

Best tackle: Ultralight spinning, spincasting or fly-fishing tackle

Best natural baits: Whole kernel corn, cheese, earthworms or commercially prepared trout baits

Best artificial lures: Very small in-line spinners; jigs or flies fished under a float

Daily bag limit: Five

Requirements: Anglers 16 or younger are not required to have a fishing license. For others, a $5 freshwater fishing stamp is required along with a license. No license requirements within state parks.

Stocking schedules: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE FOR THE D-FW AREA

Location City Fish Stocking dates

Ablon Par Pond Garland 1,500 Jan. 15

Bear Creek Park Keller 1,600 Jan. 25, March 1

Bethany Park Pond C Allen 2,200 Dec. 12

Bob Jones Park Grapevine 3,792 Dec. 8 and every 2 weeks until mid-March

Cleburne-Hulen Park Cleburne 1,900 Dec. 16, Feb. 4

Community Park Pond A Rowlett 1,000 Feb. 6

Frisco Commons Pond Frisco 3,250 Feb. 15

Glen Rose Town Lake Glen Rose 3,000 Dec. 15, Jan. 8

Green Valley Community

Park Pond A North Richland Hills 1,000 Feb. 4

Greenbriar Park Fort Worth 1,896 Dec. 3 and every 2 weeks until mid-March

Kennedale City Park Kennedale 1,000 Jan. 1

Kidd Springs Park Dallas 3,000 Jan. 16, Feb. 27

Lakeside Park Duncanville 1,896 Dec. 3 and every 2 weeks until mid-March

Lewisville Lake Tailrace Lewisville 3,756 Dec. 17, Jan. 13, Feb. 24

Mesquite City Lake Mesquite 1,500 Jan. 20

Mike Lewis Park Grand Prairie 3,000 March 8

Northwest Park Pond Irving 2,500 Feb. 8

Pair-A-Trees Pond Wills Point 500 Feb. 22

River Park Fort Worth 2,700 Jan. 8, Feb. 3

Rose Park Mansfield 870 Dec. 3

Samuell Farm Pond Mesquite 2,800 Feb. 6, Feb. 20

South Lakes Park Pond Denton 2,000 Dec. 30, Jan. 8

Towne Lake McKinney 4,770 Feb. 22

Two-Acre Lake Canton 2,523 Feb. 8

Waterloo Park Pond Denison 6,800 Dec. 12, Jan. 4, Jan. 25, Feb. 15