The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release trout in 10 locations in areas that would not support them during warmer months.
Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” way for Iowans who might not normally travel to northeast Iowa to discover trout 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.
A family friendly event is often paired with the stocking to help anglers have success and fun while fishing.
“We do these events to create excitement about fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau. “The fish are here, easy to catch and good to eat. For someone who has not tried it before, grab your neighbors, friends and kids and get out there. It’s time well spent.”
Once you have purchased your trout fee, it can be used all year long to fish any of the urban lakes and trout streams in Northeast Iowa.
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.
2016 Spring Urban Trout Stocking Schedule
March 11
10:30 am: Urban Trout Stocking - Lake of the Hills, Davenport
March 26
10 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Terry Trueblood Lake, Iowa City
11 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa
April 1
10 am: Urban Trout Stocking - Discovery Park, Muscatine
12 pm: Urban Trout Stocking - Wilson Lake, east of Donnellson
April 9
10 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls
12 pm: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Banner Lake South, north of Indianola
April 16
9:30 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Prairie Park, Cedar Rapids
April 23
10:30 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Heritage Pond, Dubuque
11 am: Urban Trout Stocking and Family Fishing Event - Sand Lake, Marshalltown