Has anyone done the spring trout opener? Is it worth doing? I just don’t want to get a permit, go fishing, and catch a fish the size of a minnow or not catch anything at all, or fight a thousand other people for the 5 trout the DNR put in the pond. Anyone have any information, like how many fish are stocked at each location, or what sizes are stocked, or how many people have you encountered while doing it? What bait works well or doesn’t. You don’t have to say which location or anything like that. Just trying to weigh all my options before I purchase the inland permit. Thanks for any help or advice.
Outdoors, Ive never done any trout fishing:(We do have a state park about 25min away that gets stocked every year by dnr….Im a diehard crappie and bluegill person myself…..
Fished it for years. I was told by a DNR official the lake I fish is stocked with 250lbs. It varies as to what size/#. Spring opener can be busy with turkey season and cold weather keeping a few away. Caught them on powerbait, worms, and spinners.
Some places are more crowded than others. When I was doing it, the fish averaged about 8-9 inches. As the trout are used to eating small brown pellets, I used a 1/32 oz. brown jig.
Stocking may vary, one season at the Washington Park location in Springfield most of the trout were from 16-22”, last year at the Southwind Park location they put in at least 10 10lb trout (old female breeding stock) but what was said above is right on, some times you feel guilty about catchin a small one and you may get some up to 13-14 “. You can also use corn, peas or small marshmellows and I have even seen some guys use minnows. I have my best luck with the green, orange and red powerbait. I use the smallest barrel weight and a small gold hook. I wouldn’t go over using 8lb test but 4 or 6lb is better. I fish on the bottom, leaving my bale open so they can run with the bait before setting the hook. A lot of people tight line but I think trout are pretty sensitive to weight even though these are farm raised. Look around when fishing also, see who is catching fish regular and try and get close to them and see what they are using and ask questions. Most of us will be glad to show and tell you what we are using.
Thanks Riverrat and Berlin, you guys have been helpful. I think you guys convinced us to go and try it out. I will say there isn’t a lot better than a fresh trout dinner off the grill. Sounds like we will go with our ultra light poles and an array of baits. If you guys go out good luck!!!
Not to brag:) but I am on a 7-8 year run:) of limiting out both spring and fall and usually:) do it pretty quick. Sometimes it may take 2 1/2 or 3 hoursto get er done. But I have also been doing it pretty much since they started the stocking progarm. Take a net!!!!! small one is OK
Don’t know where your from but WTF is correct Shiloam Springs State Park has trout fishing and I would say as deep and as cold as that water is they live year round there.
Outdoors, Try calling siloam springs and ask if anyone is catching trout, They do have boat rentals..If u cant get the # let me know and ill get it for u…....
They are going to supposedly release trout in a lake in Bloomington that we will try out. I can’t go to far, I am a soccer coach and will have practice later in the morning hopefully after we catch our limit. If not we will go back after practice. Either way haven’t gone fishing yet this year and am ready to go. I think we will try and beat the crowds and go at first light while it is still cold. Either way it will be fun, fishing when the sun comes up…can’t beat that.
If not we will go back after practice. Either way haven’t gone fishing yet this year and am ready to go. I think we will try and beat the crowds and go at first light while it is still cold. Either way it will be fun, fishing when the sun comes up…can’t beat that.