2 acres
MDC lists Tilles Park Lake at 2 acres. You can learn more by walking the bank than by bringing several specialized rod-and-reel combinations.
St. Louis County
Start with the map.
Then pick the pattern.
Rainbow trout in winter; channel catfish, hybrid sunfish and bass in warm-water periods.
TILLES PARK LAKE · VERIFIED LOCAL DETAILS
A two-acre county lake built for simple bank fishing.
Official sources checked September 25, 2026
Tilles is one of the smallest winter-trout waters in the metro program. MDC lists it at 2 acres, sets park-area hours from 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset, and prohibits boats. That points to a short, portable, shoreline-focused plan.
Winter trout
MDC lists trout among the lake’s fishing opportunities and includes Tilles in the winter trout program.
Other targets
MDC also lists white bass, sunfish, catfish and black bass, giving the lake a reason to fish beyond winter if expectations match the season.
Hours + boats
MDC lists area hours of 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset and prohibits boats on the lake.
Keep the trip small because the lake is small
- For winter trout, one light spinning rod and a compact lure box are enough. Check the current special-waterbody rules before deciding whether bait is legal for the date you are fishing.
- For warm-season catfish, a simple bottom rig lets you fish without overcomplicating the water. Give a productive-looking bank position time before moving.
- For sunfish, use a small hook, light line and a float. On a two-acre lake, downsizing often makes more sense than increasing casting distance.
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 main seasonal draw. Summer urban-fishing stocking adds catfish and sunfish opportunities.
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.
- MDC lists Tilles Park Lake at 2 acres.
- Current park hours are dawn to dusk, with gates open by 6 a.m.
- Winter trout has a catch-and-release/artificial-only period before February harvest opens.
- An official MDC area map shows a fishing dock/platform and parking.
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 at Tilles Park Lake?
Yes. Tilles Park Lake is an urban fishing water in St. Louis County. Seasonal trout rules can change what tackle and harvest are legal, so check current rules before fishing.
What fish are in Tilles Park Lake?
Winter trout are a major seasonal draw, while catfish, sunfish and bass provide additional warm-water opportunities.
What should I use for winter trout at Tilles Park Lake?
Light 4–6 lb line with small spoons, inline spinners or small jigs is a practical starting point when those presentations are allowed under the current seasonal rules.