St. Louis Metro Area
While Kansas City's trout program is doing well with seven fishing destinations totaling about 50 surface acres, and while numerous smaller cities and towns have city park lakes stocked as well, the St. Louis area boasts an astounding 17 ponds and lakes that are stocked with trout each year. That's nearly 80 acres of water.
The first stockings generally takes place the first week of November, and additional stockings may also take place over the winter months. As with all the winter trout lakes, oxygen levels will be good during the winter months, allowing for pursuit feeding, meaning you should have luck casting spinners, crankbaits, jigs, and streamers. However, colder water temperatures cause slower metabolism and will suppress feeding behavior. Focus your efforts early in the season before the temperatures get wicked cold, during unseasonably warm spells, and also as spring approaches. During colder weather, you may have better luck.
The first stockings generally takes place the first week of November, and additional stockings may also take place over the winter months. As with all the winter trout lakes, oxygen levels will be good during the winter months, allowing for pursuit feeding, meaning you should have luck casting spinners, crankbaits, jigs, and streamers. However, colder water temperatures cause slower metabolism and will suppress feeding behavior. Focus your efforts early in the season before the temperatures get wicked cold, during unseasonably warm spells, and also as spring approaches. During colder weather, you may have better luck.
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Boathouse Lake
Daily limit is 4 trout, no bait restrictions 8-acre Boathouse Lake is located in Carondelet Park in St. Louis. From I-55, take exit 202C, taking Loughborough Ave northwest along the boundary of the park for almost a mile. Turn right on Leona Drive into the park, and take an immediate right onto Loughborough Drive, past Horseshoe Lake on your left, stay right in the traffic circle exiting at the first turnoff. You'll see the Boathouse Lake on your right. 
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August A. Busch Conservation Area
Lakes 3, 21, 22, 23, and 28 Regulations for lakes 21 & 28: Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. Regulations for lakes 3, 22, and 23: daily limit of 4 trout, no bait restrictions. At almost 7,000 acres in size with 28 fishable lakes totalling 550 acres of surface area, it seems silly to try to write up directions to help you find the individual lakes that are stocked with trout. It makes more sense for you to use the map to the right to find your way to the park office. Or click the link below to download a pdf map of the entire area. |
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Carp Lake and Island Lake
Daily limit 4 trout, no bait restrictions 1-1/2 acre Carp Lake and 6-1/2 acre Island Lake are both located in Suson Park in St. Louis. From I-55 take exit 193 and head west on Meramec Bottom Rd. After a zig and a zag, turn right on Wells Rd. In about a mile, turn left to enter the park.
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January-Wabash Lake
Daily limit 4 trout, no bait restrictions 5-acre January-Wabash Lake is located in January-Wabash Park next to the middle school in Ferguson. Take exit 27 off I-270, and take South New Florissant Rd. south about 1-1/2 miles. Then turn right onto January Ave.
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Jefferson Lake
Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. 9-acre Jefferson Lake is located in Forest Park in St. Louis. It's pretty much directly across the street from Barnes-Jewish Hospital. From Hwy 64, take exit 36A and head north on Kingshighway. Take the first left onto Clayton Ave. and veer right onto Hospital Drive.
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Koeneman Lake
Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. 6-acre Koeneman Lake is located in Koeneman Park in Jennings. From I-70, take exit 241B and head north on Lucas-Hunt Rd. for for a couple of miles. If you stay this course, you'll drive by the park on your right. Actually finding the entrance is a little trickier than that, however. On your way to the park, you'll see a bit of a shopping center on your left. As soon as you pass it, turn right on Hord Ave. Take the 2nd left onto Blewett Ave. That road will make a sharp right-hand curve, and you'll magically find yourself on old Lucas and Hunt Rd. When you see the baseball fields, turn left to enter the park. |
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O'Fallon Park Lake
Daily limit is 4 trout, no bait restrictions 5-acre O'Fallon Park Lake is located in O'Fallon Park in St. Louis. From I-70, take the West Florissant Ave. exit and head south. If you blink, you'll miss it on your left.
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Tilles Park Lake
Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. 2-acre Tilles Park Lake is located in Tilles Park in St. Louis. From I-40, take exit 30 and travel south on South McKnight Rd for less than a 1/4 mile. Tilles Park will be on your right.
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Vlasis Park Lake
Daily limit 4 trout, no bait restrictions 1/2-acre Vlasis Park Lake is located in Vlasis Park in Ballwin. From I-270, take exit 9 near the West County Center and head West on Manchester Rd. for maybe 6 miles, turning right on 7 Trails Drive to find the park. If you get to Holloway Rd., you missed your turn.
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Walker Lake
Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. 2-acre Walker Lake is located in the Kirkwood City Park. There are two fairly ways to find the park. Option 1: from I-44, take exit 277B and head north on Historic US 66. Turn left on Big Bend Road, and then right on South Geyer Road. You'll see the park on your left after the cemetery. There's plenty of parking behind the aquatic center and skating rink buildings. Option 2: from I-270, take exit 8 and head east on Dougherty Ferry Rd. Take the first left onto West Adams Ave. Turn right on Geyer at the tennis courts and look for the skating rink on your right. |
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Wild Acres Lake
Between November 1 and January 31, catch and release only for trout, only flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed. Starting February 1, no bait restrictions, daily limit of 4 trout. 3-acre Wild Acres Lake is located in Wild Acres Park in Overland. Fairly centrally located, you can easily get here from the east or the west. From the west, take exit 17 off I-270 and head east on Dorsett Rd. (when Dorsett crosses Hwy 67, it becomes Midland Blvd.). In about 3 miles, turn right on Ashby and left to enter the park. Option #2: from I-170, take exit 4 and head west on Page Ave. for about 2 miles, turning right onto Ashby. You'll see the park on your right in about 3/4 of a mile. You can enter from Ashby before you hit Midland Blvd., even the map doesn't show it. |
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Gendron Lake
No bait restrictions, daily limit four trout, three poles may be used. Gendron Lake can be found in Tiemeyer Park in St. Ann. It's a residential neighborhood park, with easy access from St. Francis Lane and Ashby Road. |
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