ST. LOUIS WINTER TROUT
MDC lists St. Louis-area rainbow trout stocking beginning in early November. This guide compares four different rule situations and helps you build a safe, legal first trip. Stocking dates and access can change.
WINTER TROUT WATERS
The six new guides below are part of the metro winter-trout system. Busch, Suson and Carondelet already have trout coverage elsewhere on Cast STL.
Forest Park · 9 acres
A nine-acre Forest Park lake with year-round urban fishing and a major winter-trout role right inside St. Louis City.
Tiemeyer Park · St. Ann · 1.5 acres
A compact Tiemeyer Park lake that combines winter trout with warm-season catfish, crappie, bass and sunfish.
Jennings · 6 acres
A six-acre Jennings lake with an urban-fishing mix and a winter catch-and-release trout season.
Ferguson · 5.3 acres
A Ferguson urban lake with winter trout and one of the stronger spring largemouth bass prospects in the metro program.
Ballwin · 0.5 acre
A very small Ballwin lake where stocking windows matter more than covering water—especially during winter trout season.
St. Louis County · 2 acres
A two-acre county-park lake with an accessible fishing setup and one of the metro area's established winter-trout fisheries.
CHECKED OCTOBER 14, 2026 · MDC
This is a planning comparison, not a substitute for posted signs or the latest Missouri Department of Conservation regulation for your exact lake.
One reason the St. Louis winter trout program confuses new anglers is that “a trout lake” does not describe one set of rules. From November 1 through January 31 some lakes restrict trout to catch-and-release and limit anglers to unscented artificial offerings. Others allow harvest subject to applicable regulations. You cannot apply the rules from a previous Saturday's destination to the next one.
| Example lake | Seasonal rule to check | What you should pack |
|---|---|---|
| Koeneman Park Lake (Jennings) | Nov. 1–Jan. 31: catch-and-release only for trout; flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastics only; one pole; no chum. | Small artificial spinner, spoon, jig or unscented soft plastic. Leave scented trout dough and natural bait out of the plan during this window. |
| Tilles Park Lake (St. Louis County) | Nov. 1–Jan. 31: catch-and-release only for trout; flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastics only; one pole; no chum. | Same artificial-only approach; consider small barbless hooks or crimping barbs to simplify release (where otherwise legal). |
| Gendron Lake (St. Ann) | MDC lists statewide trout methods and limits year-round and a maximum of three poles. A trout permit is required when keeping trout. | Choose a lawful artificial or natural bait after checking the current lake rules. Bring a way to keep harvested fish cool if you intend to keep any. |
| January-Wabash Park Lake (Ferguson) | Nov. 1–Jan. 31: one pole and no chum; a trout permit is required to keep trout. Check its area listing for year-round possession-stop rule. | A single light rod with a small lure or legal bait, plus a current permit where required. |
FIRST WINTER TROUT TRIP
Don't force a cold-weather outing just because an online post claims a lake was recently stocked. Wind chill and icy footing can make a bank dangerous even when the fish are active. If the goal is a relaxed first trip, a small urban lake close to home may be better than a longer drive to unfamiliar water.
Official references, reviewed October 14, 2026: MDC winter trout area list and stocking hotline; Koeneman rules; Tilles rules; Gendron rules; January-Wabash rules.
BEFORE YOU GO
Some winter lakes are catch-and-release/artificial-only before February. Others have different seasonal restrictions.
MDC's St. Louis fish stocking hotline is 636-300-9651. Recent stocking can matter a lot on small urban lakes.
4–6 lb line, small spoons, spinners and jigs are a practical starting point when the lake's rules allow them.