MDC stocks urban lunkers

[fishinwrench]

11 minutes ago, laker67 said:

When MDC tells you in February that there is going to be a shortage of fish for the upcoming season, and that numbers stocked will be reduced. They must have already pulled out the tens of thousands of fish, and most of the lunkers, that they send to city ponds.

That just sucks.   They usually dump a load of Browns in the river right around the beginning of firearms deer season.  I wonder if we'll get them this year?  

Browns were totally non-existent in the spring Branch this last year I think.  I only fished in the park 3 times but I don't recall seeing any brown trout at all either time.

[Smallie Seeker]

1 minute ago, fishinwrench said:

That just sucks.   They usually dump a load of Browns in the river right around the beginning of firearms deer season.  I wonder if we'll get them this year?  

Browns were totally non-existent in the spring Branch this last year I think.  I only fished in the park 3 times but I don't recall seeing any brown trout at all either time.

Idk if you read my initial link, but 7 of the lakes in St. Louis county are also getting a bunch of browns stocked here soon, so you can blame the brown shortage in the rivers on the urban program too!

[fishinwrench]

Have y'all noticed how all the Roaring river guys are being all quiet?  🤔

I bet they've got all the pigs! 

[snagged in outlet 3]

The bummer is those fish just don't fight well in the ponds.  They kind of wallow around in the bowels of ignorance and then roll over. 

[fishinwrench]

5 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

The bummer is those fish just don't fight well in the ponds.  They kind of wallow around and then roll over. 

It's cuz they are out of their 5 county area.   Severe culture shock.

[Gavin]

FWIW, allot of the STL area lakes get stocked with trout from Westover Farm in Steelville, not Bennett springs. A friend of mine runs the fisheries operation out there, and they grow some high quality trout. The T. Hargrove guys are having their annual urban fly fishing tourney at Jefferson Sunday AM. Top prize is bragging rights, a 40oz Malt Liquor, and your name burned on the the trophy...Not the Stanley Cup but fun. If interested, call Craig at the shop and ask for the details. Think it's 11-1pm...but not sure (will edit this evening)

 

 

 

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, Gavin said:

FWIW, allot of the STL area lakes get stocked with trout from Westover Farm in Steelville, not Bennett springs. A friend of mine runs the fisheries operation out there, and they grow some high quality trout. The T. Hargrove guys are having their annual urban fly fishing tourney at Jefferson Sunday AM. Top prize is bragging rights, a 40oz Malt Liquor, and your name burned on the the trophy...Not the Stanley Cup but fun. If interested, call Craig at the shop and ask for the details. Think it's 11-1pm...but not sure (will edit this evening)

 

 

 

MDC pays them?    Or does MDC run that operation?

[laker67]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

That just sucks.   They usually dump a load of Browns in the river right around the beginning of firearms deer season.  I wonder if we'll get them this year?  

Browns were totally non-existent in the spring Branch this last year I think.  I only fished in the park 3 times but I don't recall seeing any brown trout at all either time.

Them browns might be headed north. And you are right, I can count on one hand the number of browns I fished for this past season.

[laker67]

2 hours ago, Gavin said:

FWIW, allot of the STL area lakes get stocked with trout from Westover Farm in Steelville, not Bennett springs. A friend of mine runs the fisheries operation out there, and they grow some high quality trout. The T. Hargrove guys are having their annual urban fly fishing tourney at Jefferson Sunday AM. Top prize is bragging rights, a 40oz Malt Liquor, and your name burned on the the trophy...Not the Stanley Cup but fun. If interested, call Craig at the shop and ask for the details. Think it's 11-1pm...but not sure (will edit this evening)

 

 

 

Didn't know that Westover was involved. How about Crystal Lake near West plains? When I talked to the hatchery at bssp, they mentioned several north and northwest lakes that they took care of. I fished Mckay lake and recognized the pathetic and pale 8 to 10 inchers they stocked. Every one looked like a faded out Mcloud with Jaundice. 

[Gavin]

I don’t know what they stock outside of STL.. If you have a contact at private hatcheries near your area ask them. Yes MDC has paid Westover for trout. Tom & Marty raise the fish. Not as much demand, so the raise them right. Around West Plains would buy trout from Rockbridge if you want some big ones. Average there is 2-3lbs.