First-time fishing in lake in City park

Danelle Hamilton gets help in baiting her hook from MDC's Patti Redel

Ten-year-old Danelle Hamilton last month went fishing for the first time in her life. It took her just 10 minutes to catch her first fish.

Although the fish was small, it was quite a thrill. And she got to go fishing just a few blocks from her home on the northside of the City of St. Louis.

Danelle and others were taking part in a Back to School fishing party. It was sponsored by 21st Ward Alderwoman Bennice Jones King. Another fishing party was held on the same Saturday at nearby Hyde Park.

Both events got assistance from the Missouri Department of Conservation. That group has an active urban fishing program for city residents.

The lake where Danelle was fishing was in O'Fallon Park, just off I-70 in north St. Louis. That's one of the city lakes stocked with fish so local residents can fish close to home.

Danelle Hamilton after the worm was on the hook

The MDC recently has restocked lakes in Forest Park, which were renovated. That renovation by the Forest Park Forever organization has linked all the lakes together so there is a current running through them.

With a current running through, water will be fresher than when a pond is stationary.

Another aspect of the urban fishing program is winter-time stocking of rainbow trout. Trout can't live in shallow ponds during hot Missouri weather. But, when the water is cold, trout can flourish and offer an unusual fishing opportunity for city residents.

(For more about this year's trout stocking program in area lakes, see sidebar below.)

Danelle and others not only got to fish, they got to use MDC rods and reels. Conservation workers were on hand for fishing instruction.

Alderwoman Bennice Jones King

But, for Danelle, the most valuable help was in putting bait on her hook. Danelle isn't much for handling worms. "But, I like it when I catch a fish," she added.

She also liked it that she caught her first fish before her mother, Veronica Starks. Her mother was fishing for the first time but caught her first fish after Danelle did.

But, Veronica said they were going to come back to fish again. That was made easier because the MDC let them take their "loaner" rods and reels home to use another day.

Five MDC employees provided one-on-one instruction. There were also "goodie bags," which included fishing booklets and additional fishing gear.

Sisters Alexis Wilbon and Cierra Neil also were on hand for the fishing party.

Antooi Perkins

Thirteen-year-old Alexis and 12-year-old Cierra both had been fishing before. They had been on a school field trip, which included hunting for turtles, canoeing and other outdoor activities.

Alexis is an 8th grader and Cierra a 7th grader at Cross Keys Middle School.

Alexis said her favorite part of fishing was casting the bait into the water. Cierra said, "I like to see the amazing fish I haven't seen before."

Six-year-old Antooi Perkins was another first-time fisherman. He caught two fish right away in the morning.

But, one of his best experiences was when the MDC helper showed him how he could hold his fish. He found that he could hold the fish by its lower lip without getting bitten.

The Back to School event at O'Fallon Park was more than fishing.

Sisters Alexis Wilbon (left) and Cierra Neil

There was music playing and, at noon, there was a cookout with food for all.

Then, Alderwoman King had a stage show for the entertainment of the kids and their families.

Dick Turner works for the MDC in its outreach and education efforts. He works from the MDC office in Soulard, which coordinates lots of activities in the City of St. Louis.

He said groups wanting assistance in planning outdoor activities should call the Soulard office at (314) 231-3803.

For information about MDC activities in metro St. Louis, you can call the regional office at the Busch Wildlife Area at (636) 441-4554.

 

A winter treat: rainbow trout fishing

Usually, urban kids have no chance to fish for rainbow trout in shallow urban lakes. The lake water is too warm for trout to survive year-around.

But, starting in November, trout are coming to 16 St. Louis area lakes. The Missouri Department of Conservation will stock a total of 36,000 rainbow trout in the lakes.

The periodic stocking runs through February.

To give all anglers a fair chance at a catch, the MDC doesn't announce the stocking schedule in advance. They don't want people camping out near the lakes, waiting for the hatchery trucks to arrive.

Once the stocking is completed, you can get up-to-date information from a Fish Stocking Hot Line at (636) 300-9651.

You should plan for your trout fishing trips in advance. Pick up a St. Louis Area Winter Trout Program brochure or call (636) 441-4554.

The brochure gives location of the trout-stocked lakes and rules for fishing. Kids under 16 don't have to have state fishing licenses. However, all anglers who want to keep the trout need a trout permit.

The winter rainbow stocking program has been operating since 1989.

Lakes in the 2003-2004 trout program in St. Louis are:

• Lakes 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28 at the Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles Co.
• Lakes 1, 2 and 3 at Suson Park in south St. Louis County.
• Tilles Park Lake in St. Louis County.
• Walker Lake in the City of Kirkwood.
• Vlasis Park Lake in the City of Ballwin.
• O'Fallon Park Lake in St. Louis City.
• Boathouse Lake in Carondelet Park in St. Louis City.
• Jefferson Lake in Forest Park in St. Louis City.
• January-Wabash Lake in the City of Ferguson.
• Wild Acres Park Lake in City of Overland.