For those that aren’t on Facebook in the Lee’s Summit Area Fishing group, you should know that trout fishing is on at James A. Reed! Trout are regularly stocked at James A. Reed and other urban lakes across the metro. Be sure to read regulations ahead of time as some don’t allow you to keep the trout until a certain date.
In the last several weeks, local anglers needed to battle the ice, as you can see in the photos. They found innovative ways to break through to create some fishable water. However, the ice is clear as of February 12th.
There was a fresh stocking of Rainbow trout on February 11th according to reports. Some anglers choose to target trout with traditional fly fishing methods, but you can catch them on a variety of baits.
Rooster tails and small spoons can be effective. Trout also like live bait such as minnows or nightcrawlers. Powerbait can be used when fished along the bottom.
Be sure you are fishing the right lakes as well. Coot and Plover Lake, along with Honker Pond (kids only) are the only Reed area lakes that are stocked with trout.
The MDC website has this to say about the trout fishing:
Trout stocked into Coot and Plover lakes in November to establish a winter fishing season. These fish may be harvested under statewide regulations. Trout will also be stocked into Honker Pond (kid’s fishing only, 15 years old and younger). Additional trout will be stocked through March to extend the trout fishing into the spring. Try using prepared trout baits, small crank baits, small jigs, and flies to catch trout. All anglers including children must have a trout permit to harvest trout.
All photos courtesy of the Lee’s Summit Area Fishing Facebook group.
Great article! Love that James A Reed has caught traction again. Just talked to someone out there on Sunday and they said there was going to be another stocking in March because it was so popular this year! Keep up the good work! Also I think I broke that ice on the dam in the pic above!