9 acres
MDC lists Jefferson Lake at 9 acres. That gives bank anglers enough shoreline to make location changes meaningful when one area is slow.
Forest Park
Start with the map.
Then pick the pattern.
Rainbow trout in winter; channel catfish, hybrid sunfish and bass through the warm-water season.
JEFFERSON LAKE · VERIFIED LOCAL DETAILS
Nine acres of urban fishing inside Forest Park.
Official sources checked September 25, 2026
Jefferson is one of the larger city urban-program lakes and has a broader role than a single-season trout pond. MDC lists the lake at 9 acres, prohibits boats and identifies trout, white bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie and black bass as fishing opportunities.
Broad species mix
MDC lists six major fishing groups here: trout, white bass, sunfish, catfish, crappie and black bass. A first trip should therefore begin with one target species rather than one “do everything” rig.
Winter trout role
Jefferson participates in the metro winter-trout program. Seasonal regulations are different enough that the current trout rules should be checked before winter fishing.
Bank fishing
MDC prohibits boats, so all of the trip planning should assume shore access and walking between fishable sections.
A better way to spend the first 90 minutes
- Pick one target before arriving. Trout, crappie, bass and catfish call for different line weights and presentations, and switching among all four every ten minutes wastes the advantage of a 9-acre lake.
- Use the first 30 minutes to cover visible edges and structure. If the chosen pattern shows nothing, change area before changing your entire tackle system.
- Because Forest Park is a high-use setting, keep the setup portable. A single rod and shoulder-size tackle bag make it easier to move when a bank becomes crowded.
Cast STL planning note: These are source-backed trip-planning recommendations, not a claim that Cast STL visited the water or caught fish there on the verification date.
Official sources used for this guide
Rules, stocking details and access can change. Use these links and posted signs as the final authority.
SEASONAL PLAN
Fish the calendar.
Not one tactic all year.
Winter trout is the headline. During warm months, simple catfish and panfish setups keep the lake useful.
WINTER TROUT
Light spinning
4–6 lb mono/fluoro. Start with a small spoon, inline spinner or 1/32–1/16 oz jig when allowed by the lake's current winter rules.
WARM SEASON
Catfish + panfish
Catfish: 12–20 lb line with a simple bottom rig. Panfish: 4–6 lb line, small jig or worm under a float.
BASS
Finesse first
8–12 lb mono/fluoro or light braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Start with a finesse worm, compact jig or small moving bait.
CURRENT RULES
Check before you keep.
- Fishing is permitted at Jefferson Lake.
- Boats are prohibited.
- Black bass minimum length is 18 inches under current urban-lake rules.
- Check the exact winter-trout restriction period before using bait or keeping trout.
OFFICIAL SOURCE
MDC is the authority.
Cast STL is a planning guide. Stocking dates, seasonal restrictions and posted rules can change.
Check MDC informationStocking hotlineQUICK ANSWERS
Fishing questions. Answered fast.
Useful first-trip answers based on the guide below. Always confirm current regulations and posted rules before fishing.
Can you fish Jefferson Lake in Forest Park?
Yes. Fishing is permitted at Jefferson Lake in Forest Park. Check current seasonal and posted rules before your trip.
What fish are in Jefferson Lake?
Winter trout are the seasonal headline, with catfish, hybrid sunfish and bass offering additional fishing opportunities.
Are boats allowed on Jefferson Lake?
No. The current guide information lists boats as prohibited, making this a bank-fishing destination.