Seventeen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.
“Grab your neighbors, friends and kids and try trout fishing this fall,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau. “It’s time well spent. The fish are here, easy to catch and good to eat.”
The fall 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 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.
2017 Fall Urban Trout Stocking Schedule
Oct. 14, Lake of the Hills, Davenport, 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 20, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, Noon
Oct. 26, Banner Lake (South), Summerset State Park, Indianola, 11 a.m.
Oct. 26, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 2 p.m.
Oct. 27, Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa, 11 a.m.
Oct. 27, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Noon
Oct. 28, Discovery Park, Muscatine, 10 a.m.
Oct. 28, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 10 a.m.
Oct. 28, Wilson Lake, Fort Madison, Noon
Nov. 1, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 2, North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls, Noon
Nov. 2, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, Noon
Nov. 16, Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake, Ames, Noon
Nov. 17, Prairie Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m.
Nov. 17, Terry Trueblood Lake, Iowa City, 11 a.m.
Nov. 18, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, Noon
Nov. 22, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.
Find more information about trout fishing in urban lakes on the DNR trout fishing webpage.