Cutthroat And Brookies

[jdmidwest]

Trout are free to swim down there, it just starts getting a little warm for them down there. MDC would probably stock there except the water temp does not meet the requirements for successful survival year round. There is a point on all of the MO trout streams where the temps start getting too warm to insure the trout survival. The springs determine the water temps.

[ozark trout fisher]

Trout are free to swim down there, it just starts getting a little warm for them down there. MDC would probably stock there except the water temp does not meet the requirements for successful survival year round. There is a point on all of the MO trout streams where the temps start getting too warm to insure the trout survival. The springs determine the water temps.

If that is indeed the case, the MDC is making the right decision probably. The water is so beautful from Akers to Pulltite that it is a bit disappointing that there aren't many trout or smallmouth. I've never floated it, but have driven over explored the area quite a bit. Maybe it would be nice to have some spring and fall stockings, like on some of the warmer white ribbon streams.

[jdmidwest]

With trout production pretty much maxed out, that will not happen.

[ozark trout fisher]

With trout production pretty much maxed out, that will not happen.

Yeah, I guess that's true. I probably shouldn't have questioned the MDC management approach, I guess I just sorta selfishly wanted another place for trout fishing here.

[jdmidwest]

I know that they have been looking at ways to do just that. We have gotten several winter trout programs in the last 10 years that did not exist before. They are limited by the amount of natural flowing cold streams that will allow trout to survive. And the same limitation is affecting the production as the hatcheries are fed by springs or cold water from a bottom discharge lake like Taneycomo. Recent years, droughts have cut flows from springs and really cut into production of trout. The only one that has a good, constant, supply of cold water would be Shepard of the Hills at Branson due to the lake water.

[ozark trout fisher]

I know that they have been looking at ways to do just that. We have gotten several winter trout programs in the last 10 years that did not exist before. They are limited by the amount of natural flowing cold streams that will allow trout to survive. And the same limitation is affecting the production as the hatcheries are fed by springs or cold water from a bottom discharge lake like Taneycomo. Recent years, droughts have cut flows from springs and really cut into production of trout. The only one that has a good, constant, supply of cold water would be Shepard of the Hills at Branson due to the lake water.

I understand it is very hard for the MDC to create new fisheries. I guess I didn't think through all the hard work the MDC already goes to in order to have trout fishing in Missouri at all. I feel kinda bad now for questioning their approach. I truly respect the Missouri Department of Conservation, and just about everything they do.

[jdmidwest]

No problems with asking questions. I have been fishing for trout in MO for 25 years now and have spent alot of time with MDC and AG&F talking trout with them over the years. They are always open to suggestions and welcome any input. Next time you go to Montauk, go to the hatchery office and ask for a tour or give them a few questions. They are always happy to take time to talk to you.

[laker67]

I know that they have been looking at ways to do just that. We have gotten several winter trout programs in the last 10 years that did not exist before. They are limited by the amount of natural flowing cold streams that will allow trout to survive. And the same limitation is affecting the production as the hatcheries are fed by springs or cold water from a bottom discharge lake like Taneycomo. Recent years, droughts have cut flows from springs and really cut into production of trout. The only one that has a good, constant, supply of cold water would be Shepard of the Hills at Branson due to the lake water.

jd,

You brought up the issue of the winter or urban trout programs. That's about the only issue that I disagree with MDC on. To me it's like taking lambs to the slaughter. You being from SE mo., do you know of any areas south of I-44 that receive the winter trout stocking in normally warm water city lakes? The only areas that I hear about, are all north or mid central missouri. Jeff City seems to be about the southern most limit of the urban trout program. With our hatcheries maxed out already, it seems like a waste. Did they lower the daily limit to 4 fish in order to accomodate the urban program? It coincides with the expansion of the urban program. If they send all these trout to the northern reaches of the state, it seems that the southern half is getting short changed. Maybe they should send us muskies or pike or walleye to put in our city lakes. I'd like to hear your opinion and others on this urban trout program.

[laker67]

jd,

I did find that Jackson, mo. is included in the urban program, Rotary Lake. 29 locations, and Jackson is the only southern half location.

[ladykiller]

The urban trout program is not all it's craked up to be in my opinion. I'm in Jefferson City about 4 miles from McKay lake which is stocked and I used to go try to hit it pretty hard after the stocking. You can only get a couple to maybe three good weeks out of fishing the lake. It freezes over and the trout are then unreachable because you cannot have a boat on that water.

Once the lake thaws and the catch and keep season starts.....what's the point? I'd rather drive to Meramec this time of year and do some "real" fishing.