Catch-and-Keep Trout Fishing Begins Feb. 1 in Sedalia

In a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the MDC stocked rainbow trout last autumn in Sedalia. Starting Saturday, Feb. 1, anglers with proper permits can catch and keep up to four trout.

Sedalia’s Liberty Park Pond offered catch-and-release fishing for trout with unscented artificial lures only after the fish were stocked. But the catch-and-keep portion of winter trout fishing begins Feb. 1. Scented lures and natural baits may be used as well as unscented artificial lures starting on that date. Trout were stocked in the pond under MDC’s partnership with Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department.

MDC stocks trout in some community lakes in winter to give anglers a chance to catch a cold-water species close to home. The pan-sized trout are raised at MDC’s Bennett Spring and Chesapeake fish hatcheries.

Starting Feb. 1, anglers with valid fishing permits and a Missouri trout permit may keep up to four trout at these lakes in Sedalia and St. Joseph. All Missouri residents over age 15 and under 65 must have a valid fishing permit, and all non-residents over age 15 must have a Missouri fishing permit.