If you’re lucky, you may hook into one of the brood stock released in one of the lakes. Most stockers are eager and willing to bite, so catching a limit in a couple hours is feasible. I can tell you this year at Busch Conservation Area lakes the trout have all been 15 inches or better, and they are fighting hard.

Fish size varies, but the average size of “stockers” ranges from nine to eleven inches, with some reaching as large as eighteen inches.

Louis area needs,” Meneau explained.Īccording to Kevin, over 38,000 trout are annually stocked in St. So, fish can and do come from any of our hatcheries throughout the state. “Our cold-water hatcheries produce the trout. Louis Winter Trout Program, back in 2013. Where does the MDC get the trout? I interviewed Kevin Meneau, MDC Fisheries Management Biologist, and head of the St. Ryan Miloshewski fishing with a fly rod at Koeneman Park. Months of trout fishing for those otherwise not wanting to venture far from home in the nasty winter months is a cinch. Louis in 1989, the Urban Trout Fishing Program provides anglers the opportunity to fish for Missouri’s two trout species (Rainbow and Brown trout) in their own backyards. The MDC stocks many lakes in residential parks and urban conservation areas with trout starting November 1st, and continuing all the way until mid-February in each city. The Urban Trout Fishing Program, operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), is a unique and exciting prospect for trout fishermen not wanting to travel far to catch a stringer of rainbows. What you might not be familiar with is the influx of available trout waters that occurs every November in the urban lakes around St. Home to four daily trout parks, a plethora of Ozark streams, and the fabled waters of Lake Taneycomo, there is no shortage of opportunity. When the wind is up (most of the time ) swinging streamers across riffle drop offs and rocky banks produces arm straightening strikes.If you fancy yourself an avid trout fisherman, Missouri is the state for you. Big fish stay high in the water column providing plenty of targets but they are tricky. Unfortunately, the fishing pressure keeps many of the heads down but in hatch conditions the small dry fly fishing is superb. We are adept at this but prefer short line techniques and fish shallow seams and riffles. There are a few camp grounds but not a great multi-day float, many riverside cabins for rent (all overpriced), few motel rooms near Craig.Ībout 90% of trout caught in the Missouri are taken on deep nymphing rigs. miles) but for our purposes nearly 25,000 square miles. The Missouri drains about 5% of North America (nearly 550,000 sq. Rainbow trout averaging 17'+ with several over 20', browns of similar size with top end fish exceeding 24'! the largest whitefish in Montana, carp from 22'- over 30' (super fun and technical), walleyed pike 16-24'. Those up to the task experience line ripping runs and tippet snapping leaps from some of Montana’s most powerful, energetic trout. Expect to settle down casts exceeding forty feet and in lanes the width of a clip board. These fish are wary and even intermediate anglers will be tested.

Most anglers here employ nymphing techniques with great results but the real joy of the Missouri is casting small dries to big sipping trout. As a big trout river, even by Western standards, float fishing affords the greatest access but wade fishers need not be intimidated as plenty of water can be covered by foot. Riffles extending across the river for hundreds of yards, bottomless cliff side pools, foam covered eddies, grassy undercuts, expansive knee deep flats and riprap banks – pick your passion. What is more, the Missouri offers up a surprising variety of water to fish. We keep saying that the Missouri is reaching a threshold on a bell curve plotting the number and size of fish but year after year it continues to surpass expectations. Trout are not lacking for food and grow at ridiculous rate. Caddis, mayflies, and midges make up the bulk of hatches here, enhanced with a smorgasbord of scuds, sow bugs, leaches and crayfish. The prolific aquatic nature of the Missouri is unparalleled in this portion of the West. This is classic tailwater fly fishing with a Montana flair. Rainbow and brown trout in staggering numbers and size call this water home. As a tailrace, the Missouri runs consistently cold and clear year round like a giant spring creek, creating a veritable trout factory. Pouring out of the Gates of the Mountains, the Missouri River below Holter Dam winds past sage studded buttes and vertical cliff walls before spilling across the Eastern plains of Montana.

Trout fishing in missouri