The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at 19 locations across Iowa as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer.
The fall community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners such as a panther martin or mepps is all you need to get in on the fun.
Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing. A family-friendly event is often paired with the stocking to help anglers have success and fun while fishing.
The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.
Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.
2019 Fall Community Trout Stocking Schedule
Oct. 19, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 10 a.m.
Oct. 24, Banner Lake (South), Summerset State Park, Indianola, 11 a.m.
Oct. 24, Terra Lake, Johnston, Noon
Oct. 24, Kettlestone Common Ponds, Waukee, 2 p.m.
Oct. 25, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, Noon
Oct. 25, Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa, 11 a.m.
Oct. 26, Discovery Park, Muscatine, 10 a.m.
Oct. 26, Wilson Lake, Fort Madison, Noon
Oct. 26, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, Noon
Oct. 31, North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls, Noon
Oct. 31, Liberty Centre Pond, North Liberty, 11 a.m.
Oct. 31, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 2 p.m.
Nov. 1, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, Noon
Nov. 1, Prairie Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m.
Nov. 8, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1:30 p.m.
Update: 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked in Bacon Creek on Monday, December 23rd
Nov. 9, Emma Young Pond, Clinton, 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 15, Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake, Ames, Noon
Update: The trout stocking at Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake has been moved to Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. Previously scheduled for Nov. 15, this stocking was moved up a week with concerns that next week’s forecast cold temperatures could cause the lakes to start to freeze and create unsafe ice and fishing conditions.
Nov. 15, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Noon
Update: The trout stocking at Lake Petocka has been moved to Nov. 7 at noon. Previously scheduled for Nov. 15, this stocking was moved up a week with concerns that next week’s forecast cold temperatures could cause the lakes to start to freeze and create unsafe ice and fishing conditions.
Nov. 27, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.
Update: The trout stocking at Blue Pit has been moved to Nov. 26 at 11:00 a.m. Previously scheduled for Nov. 27, the stocking was moved up a day due to the winter storm forecast for the area on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Find more information about trout fishing in community lakes and ponds on the DNR trout fishing webpage.