Unseasonably warm temperatures have prompted the Missouri Department of Conservation to postpone its annual winter trout stocking. Fisheries staff typically begin stocking rainbow trout in urban-area lakes across Missouri during the first week of November. However, warm water temperatures have pushed these efforts to the second week of the month.[1]
Rainbow trout are a cold-water species that require water temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees to survive. Introducing the fish into warmer lakes can be fatal. “Entering waters warmer than what they’re accustomed to can be a shock to their system, ultimately resulting in their death,” said MDC Hatchery Systems Manager Clint Hale.
Each fall, the state stocks more than 70,000 rainbow trout in over 30 urban and conservation area lakes to provide close-to-home fishing opportunities. These trout are raised at four of the state’s trout hatcheries.[2] A seasonal temperature change is expected to allow the program to proceed shortly. “With cooler conditions forecasted in the coming week, water temperatures will drop enough that the fish can be stocked,” Hale explained.
Fishing regulations for trout vary by location and season, and anglers are encouraged to check local rules before fishing. Some areas allow immediate harvest upon stocking, while others are catch-and-release only until Feb. 1. All Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 must hold a valid fishing permit. Additionally, a Missouri trout permit is required for anglers of any age who wish to keep their catch. Permits are available for purchase through numerous state vendors, the MDC website, or the MO Fishing mobile app.
Notes:
- ^Missouri Department of Conservation. (2026). MDC postpones winter trout stocking due to warm temperatures. Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved from https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-postpones-winter-trout-stocking-due-warm-temperatures (go back ↩)
- ^Ibid. (go back ↩)
