The Greater Kansas City area has several lakes on both sides of the state line
that are stocked for winter trout fishing, but only five of these lakes are
in Missouri. And, since this is "Missouri" Trout Hunter, you'll have to dig up your own information about the
Kansas lakes stocked with trout -- sorry! Even so, if you want to send us a
fishing report for a Kansas City area lake
that happens to be in Johnson or Wyandotte County, we'll be happy to post
it.
The intial stockings usually occur in early November, but additional stockings may also
happen periodically over the winter. Catching wintertime trout in lakes can be tricky.
Oxygen is good, so they're able to chase lures like spinners, crankbaits, jigs, streamers, etc. However, the colder the
water is, the lower their metabolism is, and the less hungry they are. For this reason,
the fishing tends to be best in November. As spring approaches, they'll get hungry again.
Anytime you get a few days of unseasonably warm weather, though, go give it a shot.
Fountain Bluff Lakes
The two largest lakes at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex in Libery (2200 E. Old 210 Hwy) are KC's newest addition to the urban winter trout program. The plan is to stock the lakes 4 times each winter. The lakes are well-manicured with plenty of room for casting, but fishermen will find they can only access the lakes between 8am and 5pm.
No map available at this time
Chaumeire Park Lake
This is a 5-acre lake in Chaumiere Park (of course) near NE 43rd Terrace and Chaumiere
in Kansas City. To get there from downtown KC, take I-35 north across the river. You may
actually change from I-35 to I-70, but follow your nose back onto I-35 heading toward Des
Moines. Take exit #9 -- it says MO 269 South and Chouteau Trafficway. Turn right onto NE
Chauteau Trafficway (MO 269), very quickly turn right on North Cleveland Avenue, and very
very quickly turn right again onto NE 43rd Terrace, which will take you right to the lake.
The lake will be on your right.
Coot Lake, Plover Lake, Honker Pond
These lakes are all found within the the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. To get to Coot Lake from Lee's Summit, take US-50
East to Missouri Hwy "RA". Turn right on "RA" and head south. The wildlife area is now
on your left -- keep an eye open for the main entrance. Once you enter the area, keep
right. We don't have directions let to get you to Plover Lake or Honker Pond. Perhaps a
help K.C. trout hunter will help us out with this(???).
Coot Lake is 22 acres and Plover Lake is 15 acres, making both a bit challenging in the
area of tracking down the fish. Honker Pond is just 1 acre, but it is only open to fishing
by those 15 years old or younger.
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