Winter Fishing In St. Louis Area

[eric1978]

I'll admit that I'm not above breaking through the ice to catch trout in those ponds... There's one right by my house, and when it gets frozen up I just go out on the dock, break through the ice with a hatchet, rest the water for a few minutes after the commotion and get fishing. Those times can produce the easiest fishing of the year, but it's not really sporting or too enjoyable. I don't think there are docks at Busch anyway, so that's probably out.

I've heard stories about guys taking augers out to Busch and ice-fishing, but I don't know if they're true or if I'd really enjoy that. I'm surprised MDC wouldn't run people off of the ice. Maybe they're full of it, who knows.

[ozark trout fisher]

I've heard stories about guys taking augers out to Busch and ice-fishing, but I don't know if they're true or if I'd really enjoy that. I'm surprised MDC wouldn't run people off of the ice. Maybe they're full of it, who knows.

I sure as hell wouldn' t go out on the ice. Like I said I was fishing off a dock. It's quick and easy fishing, but it's not much fun.

I know people have gone out on the ice to fish at Busch, because they had to rescue a guy last year.

[Gavin]

Saw an angler breaking ice at Tilles a couple days ago...To much effort to catch a trout IMO...but its cheaper than driving to Meramec.

[JONBOY]

Thanks guys for the information. I didn't relize that there were so many streams that could be fished during the winter months. Now I have actually make a decision of where to go. Can you explian more where 7400 is located on the Little Piney? Thanks.

[Gavin]

Head south on the Newburg exit a bit west of Rolla..Head through town, make a right across the bridge onto T then turn right on CR7400.

There is a link to a map in a previous post. Cheers.

[Whiskey Joe]

Didn't want to create a new topic to report on Suson. On New Years Eve I took 3 boys down to Suson tight lining bait while I walked around marabou jig fishing. NOTHING! Boys didn't even get a bite on bait (corn, poop [brown dough bait], powerbait, 1 hour each). Usually we can pull a couple of small trout out to eat, but absolutely nothing.

I may try the Niangua below Bennett or maybe Newburg. Haven't done either in the winter, but would like to try. It's pretty far away, so it'd probably be an overnight camp & float.

[Gatorjet]

According to MDC Fish Stocking Hotline, they haven't stocked Suson since Dec.16. At that time they stocked 118 in Lake 1, 236 in #2, and 276 in #3. With the Holidays, they probably got fished pretty hard in the last couple of weeks.