The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries staff will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout in 10 lakes across Iowa in March and April as part of its cool weather trout program.
The spring urban 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 to casting 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. Many locations will also host a family friendly event 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 buy a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.
Once you buy your trout fee, you can fish for trout all year long at any of the urban lakes and trout streams in Northeast Iowa. Visit the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout for more information about Iowa trout streams.
2017 Spring Urban Trout Stocking Schedule
March 24
10 a.m.: Discovery Park, Muscatine
Noon: Lake of the Hills, Davenport
Noon: Wilson Lake, east of Donnellson
March 25
11 a.m.: Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa
11 a.m.: Terry Trueblood Lake, Iowa City
April 8
10 a.m.: North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls
Noon: Banner Lake South, north of Indianola
April 15
10:30 a.m.: Prairie Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids
April 22
10 a.m.: Heritage Pond, Dubuque
Noon: Sand Lake, Marshalltown