Perry County stocks 3,760 trout at Legion Lake for winter fishing season

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — Perry County received 3,760 rainbow trout Monday morning as part of the annual winter trout-stocking program at Legion Lake.

The program, now in its ninth year in Perry County, is funded locally by Perry County, the Perry County Sportsman Club and the city of Perryville.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, anglers can fish for trout on a catch-and-release basis through Jan. 31, 2027. Trout harvesting will begin Feb. 1.

During the catch-and-release period, anglers must immediately release all trout unharmed. Only flies, artificial lures and unscented plastic baits are permitted. Anglers are limited to one fishing rod, and chumming is prohibited.

Beginning Feb. 1, anglers may use any bait and keep up to four trout, regardless of size.

Anglers ages 16 to 64 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit. Anyone harvesting trout must also have a trout permit.

Stocking at Legion Lake and other Missouri locations was delayed this year because of unseasonably warm temperatures. The department typically begins stocking urban lakes during the first week of November, but warmer water temperatures pushed the schedule into the second week.

“Trout are a cold-water species and require water temperatures around 55 to 60 degrees,” MDC Hatchery Systems Manager Clint Hale said. “Entering waters warmer than what they’re accustomed to can be a shock to their system, ultimately resulting in their death.”

Each fall, MDC stocks approximately 70,000 rainbow trout in more than 30 urban and conservation area lakes across Missouri. The fish are raised at four state trout hatcheries.

Some locations allow anglers to harvest trout immediately after stocking, while others require catch-and-release fishing until Feb. 1.

“Our goal is to stock healthy trout that can thrive all winter to provide anglers as many fishing opportunities as possible,” Hale said.

Perry County Presiding Commissioner Mike Sauer said the program has received positive feedback from the community.

“One of my favorite things about this program is that a kid can catch their first trout right here in Perry County,” Sauer said. “We appreciate the City of Perryville and the Perry County Sportsman Club helping us give families another reason to get outside and spend time together this winter.”