Kansas City Winter Trout Areas
Fishing Reports This page was updated 6/5/11
This report was submitted by Richard Yoakum of Liberty on 2/6/11
Date of trip: 2/4/11 Times fished: Afternoon Air Temperature: Frigid Weather: Overcast Water Level: Average Water quality: Slightly clouded What worked: Minnows and worms
Fountain Bluff Lakes:
The air temp was so cold I had to break the newly formed ice every few minutes, but it only took me about an hour and a half to catch my limit of four trout at the larger of the two lakes at Fountain Bluff in Liberty. I was using a double rig with trout worms about two feet above a minnow right off the bottom, any depth from six to fifteen feet of water. Thank you MDC for the trout dinner without all the hours of driving usually involved with such a prized feast.
Thanks Richard.
This report was submitted by Josh ______ of Lee's Summit on 2/8/10
Date of trip: January 2010 Times fished: 9:00am Air Temperature: Frigid Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: n/a What worked: Nymphs
Plover Lake:
Went out to Plover and drilled some holes in the ice. Pulled my limit on trout jigging small nymphs like jigs. My wife beared the elements and pulled out a 13-inch crappie. Great day.
Ice-fishing for trout (and crappie) in Missouri! Sounds like fun. Thanks. Josh.
This report was submitted by Larry Higbee
Date of trip: 2/7 & 2/8/09 Times fished: 8:00am - 10:00am Air Temperature: Comfy - chilly Weather: Sunny - overcast Water Level: Average Water quality: Milky to slightly clouded What worked: Powerbait and small jigs
Chaumiere Lake:
Chaumiere Lake was stocked on January 22 by punching a hole in the ice. My son and
I have been waiting for the solidly frozen lake to thaw out since. The 71 degree
weather did it's job on Feb. 6 so we fished the lake on Feb. 7. The hungry trout
were quite active and we limited out by 10:00 AM. We used power bait and 1/32 oz.
jigs. Fish were in the 3/4-1 pound range. Another fisherman next to us caught a 1
lb. brown trout on a spinner. Fishing pressure was moderate and picked up as the
day warmed up. Fish were biting all over the lake. No particular hot spot as
everyone was having good luck.
After success on the 7th we decided to fish Chaumiere Lake again on the 8th. Very
windy and chilly today. The fish were not as active as yesterday. Did observe fish
rolling on the top a lot. I would think a fly fisherman might have done good today.
I took 3 rainbows and my son took 2 today. One surprising bonus was a 1 1/2 pound
channel catfish my son landed using a brown tube jig.
Sounds like a great time! Thanks Larry.
This report was submitted by Josh ________ of Smithville on 11/24/08
Date of trip: 11/23/08 Times fished: 3:00 - 5:30pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Brown What worked: Black & gold rooster tail
Chaumiere Lake:
First time fishing at Chaumiere Lake. Caught a 9" brown on a black/gold rooster tail
within my first 15 minutes. Even though it was a small fish I was still excited because
it was my first brownie. Fish weren't striking hard. Only had a few more strikes. My
son and I still enjoyed the afternoon. Hopefully heading back next weekend and maybe
my boy will get his first brownie too.
I certainly hope so! Thanks Josh.
This report was submitted by Brian ________ of Kansas City on 11/19/08
Date of trip: 11/19/08 Times fished: 10:00am - 12:00pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Milky What worked: Spinners
George Reed Lake:
Well, I caught nothing. But, I watched some other guys pull them out left and right.
They were using spinners, dark colors mostly seemed to work best and not that big on
the size of the spinner. Also, a certain gentlemen that told me he was on number 60
and was using 2lb test line. I was using 6lbs, maybe that was my problem. I got one
bite using a brown trout looking little cleo type of lure. And by the way, the first
stocking of the season was nothing but brown trout?!
I am pretty new to Missouri trout fishing, being from California. I miss the sierras
and the beautiful fish up in the mountain rivers. But hey, I will take what I can get.
I guess just not today. Any advice?
In off-color water or on overcast days, dark colors tend to work better, because they
give a more solid outline and are easier for the trout to see. Other than that, the
other fishermen were likely fishing at a different depth and/or reeling at a different
speed than you were. The whole 2-pound test line debate is based on
mythology. In reality, humans have better eyesight than trout. And if you've ever
opened your eyes under water, you have an idea of what the world looks like to fish --
kinda fuzzy. People argue with me about this all the time, but their opinions are
based on what they've been told, but mine is based on reading actual research done by
wildlife & fisheries biologists. Even if they could see the line, trout aren't smart
enough to be worried about it. What they CAN see is the shadow cast by the point where
your line enters the water. So, if you're reeling your lures with the rod tip up, that
point is dancing around over the trout's head. At best, it's distracting them. At
worst, it's freaking them out -- moving shadows usually mean predators. If you use a
super thin line, there's less of a shadow. OR, you can keep the entry point at your
feet by keeping your rod tip down (or even submerged) and continuing to use 6 pound
test. The most important thing is to match the line weight to the weight of the lure
you're casting. Thanks for the report Brian, and welcome to Missouri.
This report was submitted by Bob T. of Des Moines, IA on 12/5/07
Date of trip: 12/4/07 Times fished: 7:00am - 2:00pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Brown What worked: Black & Brown Wooly Bugger, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear
Chaumiere Park Lake:
Winter storm in Iowa prompted a trip to KC for trout fishing. Lake Chaumiere was free of ice and the temp
was 22 degrees when we started at about 07:00 am. Caught a 13 incher on second or third cast on #12
black beaded wooly bugger. A few fish were rising and we caught one more before 08:00. We had several
bites but none landed between 08:00 and 11:30. We broke for lunch and got back to it around 13:00. In
the afternoon we caught a large male on a gold ribbed hares ear and another male on a brown wooly bugger.
It was a good day trip, and I'm sure the action would be much faster if we had come down in November.
But we caught nice fish and soaked up some sun while everyone in Iowa was recovering from an ice storm.
Sounds like a good trip to me. Thanks Bob.
This report was submitted by Travis ___________ of Raytown on 12/7/07
Date of trip: 11/22/07 Times fished: 11:00am - 12:30pm Air Temperature: Freezing Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Milky What worked: Corn
Alex George Lake:
Great day to fish if you can stand the cold. Went
fishing, catch and release, at Alex George lake,
caught about 9 fish in a hour and a half. I caught
one trout that was different from all of the others,
it had a pronounced hooked beak and a brownish red
color to it, I was wondering if anyone could tell me
what it was. The pond could be a nice pond if people
would quit dumping trash and beer bottles by the
shore. I have had most of my success in this lake
with corn, but i will ocassionally get a fish from
yellow trout bait. I have one more question. Do
trout in these lakes live through the summer? I
highly doubt it but my freind disagrees with me. I
greatly appreciate your answer and good luck hunting.
Good to hear from you Dan.
This report was submitted by Dan Krueger of Liberty on 11/21/07
Date of trip: 11/16/07 Times fished: 3:30 - 4:30pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Slightly Clouded What worked: Rooster Tail
Chaumiere Park Lake:
Well, it was a Friday and they stocked the lake earlier in the week, so I met a neighbor and we
fished for a while. I was using my fly rod and tried a little white mini jig for a while, then a tan San
Juan worm with little bead head nymph underneath. I could see fish rolling near the top, but no
interest in anything I had to offer.
The day wasn't a total loss though, as I was out fishing and the wind had died down, so the
weather was very nice. My neighbor was able to bring in about a 12" rainbow using small rooster
tail (I don't remember what color). There were about 5 other people fishing the lake, but I only saw
one other person catch anything while we were there. He landed a 9" on a little jig he said.
Maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to catch some of these trout out of the lake.
Good to hear from you Dan.
This report was submitted by Andy Webb of Independence on 3/15/07
Date of trip: 3/15/07 Times fished: 10:45am - 2:00pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Overcast Water Level: Average Water quality: Milky What worked: Spoons, Spinners
Coot Lake:
Went back to Coot Lake today after seeing nobody else catch anything the
other day, and threw Panther Martin spinners and Kastmaster spoons again.
Caught my very first brown trout, a 9" fish (don't know why it was stocked,
can't be kept), as well as 5 rainbows between 9-13". Also caught 2 crappie
about 6" and a 11" largemouth bass. Another wonderful day!
Not sure why MDC is stocking little
brown trout in the winter lakes. Doesn't seem to make sense.
Thanks again for the help Andy.
This report was submitted by Andy Webb of Independence on 3/12/07
Date of trip: 3/12/07 Times fished: 11:00am - 3:30pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Milky What worked: Silver Rooster Tail, Nickel Spoon
Coot Lake: I fished today for about four hours. I just bought a new 6'6"
glass UL rod and wanted to try it out, so we took the 2 month old kid out for a day in the
sun. He loved it, anyway, back to the fishing. I fished the whole lake before 2pm, and had
no bites. Not a one. Then, I fished the only spot I have ever caught anything at Coot, with
a spoon fished deep and slow, and hooked one on my second cast. It was about a 12"
bow. The very next cast I hooked and caught a 8" largemouth, and then promptly broke
off the spoon. Darn snags. I switched to a silver Rooster Tail and fished slow and deep
again, I hooked the biggest trout I have ever had a hook into. Easily a 18" fish, but just
as I got him into shallow water so I could land him, he got off. (My error, I let pressure
down for a split second). About fifteen minutes later, I caught another bow about 11"
long or so (he pooped all over me when I squeezed him.) I snagged and broke off that
spinner. Now, out of shiny things, I tried an F05 Rapala and caught one more. He did
the unhooking for me at my feet. I love when that happens! All in all, a great afternoon
at a gorgeous lake. I wish more people would quit using bait and instead release these
gorgeous fish. Also, why in the heck would MDC stock 11" browns? They have to be
15" to be kept, right?
On a side note, Walt, what can we do to get MDC to begin a C&R season in KC again?
I love catching trout, just do not want to drive three hours plus to do it. Please let me know
what you think we can do, and we can try to make something happen!
Good to hear from you Andy.
When MDC enacts catch & release seasons at a winter trout lake,
there are fairly specific reasons for it. A primary issue
may be habitat. If a lake is not suited to supporting
trout throughout the winter (too shallow, high nitrogen, low oxygen,
etc.), then catch & release does not make sense. The trout will
probably wither and die if they are not harvested by fishermen.
Getting the MDC to change regulations is a bit of a process.
You'd need to write up a proposal that outlines the problem
and lists the suggested solutions. This proposal would need to go
to the trout biologists and the conservation commission for review
and debate. If you'd like to pursue this, let me know. I'll be
happy to tell you what I know.
This report was submitted by Dan ________ from Liberty on 3/9/07
Date of trip: 3/1/07 Times fished: 5:00pm Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Partly Cloudy Water Level: Average Water quality: Brown What worked: None
Chaumiere Park Lake: They just stocked on 2/27, so was hoping the trout would be active with the
slight warm-up we had. It was a pretty windy afternoon, and I only had about
45 minutes to fish, so I wasn't able to try very many different things. Stripped
black and olive wooly buggers, but no interest in them at all.
Saw lots of fish kill floating around (both trout and catfish). Don't know if it
was the frigid temperatures we've had earlier in the winter or pollution. This
lake is pretty dirty with lots of trash. Too bad, it has the potential to be a very
nice fishing lake, especially if they could chase away the geese. There is a lot
of fishing pressure on this lake, but I never see anyone having much luck. The
few that I have seen with trout are using corn or live bait.
I did at least get to work on my casting and was getting my line out a little further.
I'm ready to hit the rivers though.
One of the trout lakes in St. Louis had a serious fish kill a couple
of weeks ago. I haven't had a chance to follow up with MDC, but the
initial response was that they'd be spending more time with city
parks employees training them how to care for the lake. My gut tells
me that the groundskeepers may have over-fertilized the surrounding
area in preparation for the spring green-up. The extra nitrogen
would then run into the lakes and cause the oxygen levels to drop
like a rock. That may be what caused the fish kill at Chaumiere.
IF that's the case, then the surviving trout are
probably struggling, which would account for their sluggish behavior
and the fact that they're only being caught on bait -- since bait
doesn't run away, an out-of-breath fish can still get to it. Of
course, this is all just conjecture.
I'll pass on your comments re: the fish kill to MDC. Thanks for the
help. Good hearing from you again Dan.
UPDATE: I heard back from MDC regarding
this issue. As it turns out, this is a typical springtime occurance
at Chaumiere Park Lake. The lake is simply a bit too shallow,
and a certain percentage of the fish are just not able to survive the
coldest part of the winter. When the lake thaws in the spring,
they generally have a few floaters come up.
This report was submitted by Chris ________ of Overland Park on 2/25/07
Date of trip: 2/24/07 Times fished: 11:00am Air Temperature: Chilly Weather: Rainy Water Level: Average Water quality: Gin Clear What worked: Rainbow Trout colored Little Cleo (1/8oz)
Plover Lake -- James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area:
We showed up at 11AM and started fishing powerbait and powereggs with no success,
so I threw a Rainbow trout colored Little Cleo (1/8 oz.) and caught one on the first cast.
My son, uncle-in-law, and I caught our limit by 12:15PM so we went home and had trout
for dinner. The best spots seemed to be right next to any remaining ice and they hit a
medium paced retreive when I paused it for a second. With the weather there is very
little pressure as we were almost the only fishermen there.
Based on reports, it sounds like the KC
trout lakes generally receive little pressure -- much less than the other
urban trout lakes around the state. Not sure why this is the case,
because the winter trout lake program has produced a ton of fun for a
lot of people -- including a good number of fish in the 30" catagory.
With increased fishing pressure at KC's trout lakes, it might be
expected that MDC would continue to expand the program to include
more lakes. Thanks for the report, Chris.
This report was submitted by Dan ________ of Liberty on 1/12/07
Date of trip: 1/11/07 Times fished: 400pm - 500pm Air Temperature: Comfy Weather: Overcase Water Level: Average Water quality: Brown What worked: Olive Wooly Bugger
Chaumiere Park Lake:
Fished about an hour using a zonker and switching to a black wooly bugger
with no success. Tied on an olive wooly bugger and had one on and played
for just a minute before it shook its head and got loose. The fish stocking
hotline reported stocking of trout on 12/27, and with the unseasonably
warm day before the winter storm was supposed to hit, I thought I'd better
not pass this rare opportunity up. Even though I didn't net any, it was still
better than being at work.
Dont' give up! We don't get many reports from our Kansas City
visitors, but the St. Louis folks are reporting lots of fish in
their lakes, including brown trout and several fish in the 10-pound
range being taken. It's safe to say the KC lakes received the same
treatment. Take a look at the St.
Louis Report Page to see a few pic's of some of the absolute
hawgs the MDC has been stocking in our city lakes. Thanks for the
report, Dan.
This report was submitted by Steve Shehan of Prairie Village, KS on 11/14/05
Date of trip: 11/10 through 11/12 Times fished: Morning through afternoon Air Temperature: Balmy Weather: Sunny Water Level: Average Water quality: Brown What worked: Minnows What DIDN'T work: small in-line spinners
Heritage Park (Overland Park, KS):
I tried casting 1/32 up to 1/8 spinners along the bank. I'm
certain I need to work on my technique for this as I did not
get one strike even though I tried an assortment of color and
size of spinners and some jigs I picked up at the bait store.
I set another line with a bobber and medium size minnows
about one and a half foot down and no more than five feet
of the bank and caught my first trout of the fall. She was
a 14 inch beauty and put up a nice fuss. She soon tired and
I got her up to the bank and neted her. I also hooked a
variety of other fish that day using the minnow and bobber,
including an 18" bass and several crappie of various size.
Shawnee Mission Park (Shawnee, KS):
The next day I caught my second trout of the season in the
lake's creek channel -- an 18" rainbow. She tired out faster
than the 14" one did the day before but was a lot of fun to
bring in. On Saturday I returned to Shawnee Mission Park
and went farther up the creek channel and found the water to
be crystal clear running from 4' to less than 1'. Here is
where I found a large number of trout and also a good number
of anglers who already knew of this area. I tried casting my
spinners at them with no success except that they would follow
the yellow one for a short distance and then leave it. I
did not bring home a trout Saturday. A young man (in his
30's or so) came down to the creek and started to snag the
trout with a large spinner and 60lb. test line. He got four
this way real fast and continued to take more trout. I got
disgusted with him and packed up and left the creek. I thought
this method was illegal and besides his intention was to
leave with many more trout. I stopped by the ranger station
and reported what I had witnessed.
Thanks for the report, Steve. It is just crazy that some people
will poach freely without
any concern for the effects of their actions. Urban trout
fishing lakes are there to provide trout fishing opportunties
for a great many people throughout the entire winter, and the
fishing regulations are designed to accomplish this.
Poaching makes the effort
much more expensive for Shawnee Mission Parks & Recreation, as
they have to purchase more fish to accomplish the same thing.
If it becomes a burden on them, I would expect them to phase
out the winter trout fishing program. With this in mind, I
hope everyone will take the fishing regulations seriously.
If you go fishing at Alex George Lake, Bowlin Road Lake, Chaumiere
Park Lake, or Coot Lake (or any of the Kansas trout lakes in the
Kansas City area), please be sure to
send us a report about how you did.
Click here if you would like more information about winter
trout fishing in the Kansas City, MO area.
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