Trout stocking at McKay Park Lake in Jefferson City delayed to later this week
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Conservation has now delayed trout stocking at McKay Park Lake in Jefferson City until later this week, according to a Monday press release.
The release says stocking was originally set to occur last week before the winter catch-and-release season began on Nov. 1, but the water is too warm. The MDC announced on Thursday that it was going to delay stocking at Cosmo-Bethel Park in Columbia because of warm water temperatures.
Temperatures at McKay Park Lake have ranged from 66-68 degrees, according to the release.
“MDC fisheries staff do not stock trout in lakes when the water temperatures are warmer than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because trout are cold water species that do not thrive in water warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish are accustomed to water temperatures of 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit at the hatchery and during transport, so the shock to their system when entering warmer waters can be deadly if the conditions are too warm,” the release says.
Temperatures at Cosmo-Bethel Lake were ranging from 66-70 degrees when the MDC made its announcement last week.
The MDC stocks trout at five lakes in Mid-Missouri. A fishing license with a trout stamp is required. Stocked lakes in Mid-Missouri include:
- Veterans Park Lake in Fulton
- Cosmo-Bethel Lake in Columbia
- McKay Park Lake in Jefferson City
- Kiwanis Lake in Mexico
- Lake Minesa in Marshall
