Even as the weather continues to cool, trout season is just beginning. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is getting ready to release thousands of trout into Texas lakes, rivers and pond, creating fishing opportunities for all to enjoy.
Between Nov. 26 and Mar. 9, the TPWD will release an impressive 342,373 rainbow trout across the state — including North Texas. Great news is you own a lake house — you spend vacation time at one.
“TPWD stocks catchable-sized fish during winter months to create unique winter angling opportunities throughout Texas,” said Carl Kittel, TPWD rainbow trout program director, in an official statement. “Rainbow trout love cold water and can be caught on a variety of baits and lures (worms, commercially available pastes, corn, spinners, spoons, flies and more), and are great to take home and eat. Our winter rainbow trout program has been a favorite of anglers for over forty years.”
North Texas Cities Getting Trout
Allen
Bethany Park Pond C: 1,700 trout
Dallas
Kidd Springs Park: 1,500 trout
Kleberg-Rylie Recreation Center: 1,500 trout
Samuel Farm Pond #4: 2,000 trout
Frisco
Warren Park Lake: 5,500 trout
Lewisville
Lewisville Tailrace: 3,000 trout
McKinney
Towne Lake: 5,500 trout
Prosper
Frontier Park Pond: 3,184 trout
Tyler
Faulkner Park Lake: 1,700 trout
When Is Trout Season
In Texas, trout season is a cherished winter tradition kicking off in late November and running through early March. Late winter and early spring offer the perfect conditions for reeling in speckled trout. It's an angler's dream season with mild weather and trout migrating to shallow waters.
Catching a rainbow trout doesn’t require fancy gear — simple light tackle or hand-tied flies on a fly rod will do the trick. To up your game, keep a variety of baits and lures handy, and don’t forget ice to keep your catch fresh.
Don’t Forget Your License
Trout anglers will need a valid fishing license that includes a freshwater fishing endorsement. Anglers under 17 years of age are not required to have a license. A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater endorsement is required of any resident who fishes or takes fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas. Licenses and endorsements are not required when fishing within a Texas State Park.
Limits And Rules
Rainbow trout can’t handle Texas’ warm waters once winter fades, so anglers are encouraged to make the most of the season by keeping up to their daily limit of five trout. An angler fishing in a Community Fishing Lake or from a dock, pier or jetty within a Texas State Park may use no more than two poles.
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