Cooler days. Better plans. Real local updates.
What changed for St. Louis anglers as November begins: lake access restrictions, a delayed trout stocking schedule and a family fishing derby. These are dated, source-backed updates—not fabricated catches or a live fishing report.
Creve Coeur Lake boating closed
Public boat and watercraft access is closed during the invasive carp removal operation. Crews begin installing nets November 2; netting may remain through March 30, 2027. MDC expects public boating access to resume by April 1, 2027.
The park remains open. Some boat ramps, nearby shoreline areas and walking routes may be restricted. Stay at least 50 feet away from nets, buoys and equipment. Shore anglers must follow signs and work-zone directions.
Creve Coeur guide →Official MDC closure notice ↗
Winter trout stocking delayed
MDC postponed the usual first-week November urban trout stockings due to warm water. As of October 29, the agency expected stocking during the second week of November, subject to suitable conditions.
Do not assume a particular lake has been stocked. Check current MDC announcements and each lake's tackle and harvest rules. Some waters have catch-and-release and artificial-lure restrictions through January 31.
Cast STL winter trout guide →Official stocking-delay notice ↗
Saturday, November 7: Cops and Bobbers
New Ballwin Park · 329 New Ballwin Road · 9 a.m.–noon
Ballwin Police Department's free fishing derby is for kids ages 14 and younger. Fishing competition is scheduled from 9–11 a.m., with lunch around 11:15 a.m.–noon. Participants must bring their own poles and tackle; check in at the event booth and verify registration and availability with the organizer.
Ballwin official event calendar ↗Kids fishing guide →Organizer details can change. This is an event listing, not a live seat count.
Pick your water first—not a rumor about the bite.
Simpson Lake
Work an accessible bank and adjust to the wind. Try small jigs or slow finesse plastics; bring a light panfish rig as a backup.
See the Simpson guide →Suson Park
Keep the trip short and fish reachable cover. A small hook, bobber and worm are a practical family setup where bait is allowed.
See family-friendly options →Busch Wildlife
Choose a specific numbered lake and check its current regulations. Don't assume that closures, stocking or restrictions apply equally to all lakes.
See the Busch guide →Cold-weather kit
- Small jigs, finesse plastics or trout-legal artificial lures, depending on the water.
- Light line for panfish or trout, sized appropriately for the conditions.
- Layers, dry socks, wind protection and shorter trips with kids.
- A backup lake in case of closures or heavy crowds.
Three checks before leaving
- National Weather Service St. Louis: forecast and warnings.
- NOAA Water: river levels and trends if fishing moving water.
- MDC winter trout areas: lake rules, access and stocking guidance.
River and lake conditions can change between this editorial update and your trip.
About this update
Checked November 1, 2026 against MDC's October 26 Creve Coeur notice and October 29 trout notice, plus Ballwin Parks & Recreation's November calendar and event listing. No weather forecast, catch report, registration seat count or lake-specific stocking confirmation is claimed. Archived October fishing plans remain available for reference, but their dates should not be mistaken for current conditions.
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