Winter Offers Great Opportunities to Catch Rainbow Trout




Be sure not to overlook some great angling opportunities in the Brazos River basin during the winter months. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) releases rainbow trout into the Brazos River below Possum Kingdom Lake.

TPWD releases the rainbow trout at more than 100 locations throughout Texas from late December through early March each year. Because the fish thrive only in cold water, they generally do not survive when the weather turns warmer. That means winter offers the only times you can sample this fishery. A total of 287,413 trout are scheduled to be stocked this winter across Texas.

Easy and fun to catch

“The trout are by nature cold weather fish,” said David Collinsworth, regional manager for the Brazos River Authority’s Central and Lower Basin. “They have got to have water that stays below 60 degrees. Trout are really easy to catch and they’re fun to catch. They are also really good table fare.”

For those fishing for trout, there is no minimum length but a limit of five per day for each angler. You will need a $5 freshwater fishing stamp to reel in the trout, but no stamp is required for those younger than 17. Also, licenses and stamps are not required for those fishing in a state park.

TPWD recommends cheese, kernel corn, nightcrawlers, red wigglers, and meal worms as baits. For those who prefer using a lure, they suggest trying a small inline spinnerbait or a spoon.

Where you can find them

The Parks and Wildlife Department recently stocked 1,500 rainbow trout below the Morris Sheppard Dam at Possum Kingdom Lake. Other stockings at that location are scheduled for Feb. 4 and Feb. 25, according to the TPWD website.




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Possum Kingdom Lake Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Possum Kingdom Lake Weather Forecast

Thursday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 86

Thursday Night

Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 73

Independence Day

Rain Showers Likely

Hi: 87

Friday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 73

Saturday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 93

Saturday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 75

Sunday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 91

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 73


Possum Kingdom Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 7/3: 999.18 (+0.18)



Possum Kingdom Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

FAIR. Water slightly stained; 87 degrees; 0.27 feet above pool. Stripers are slow to fair in 20-40 feet of water. The best bite has been live bait but it can be difficult to find. Fish are moving fast, so you will have to slowly move around and pick them off one at a time. Sand bass are fair to good and moving quickly in 5-20 feet of water on main lake points. Chrome and white seem to be out producing all other colors. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad in 10-20 feet of water fished on the bottom. Baited holes are your best bet to catch numbers but will not produce big fish. Bait with cattle cubes and wait 2-3 hours before fishing. Use punch bait for best results on baited holes. Catfish should be going into spawn soon so it should start to slow down until they are done spawning. Water clarity is 2-6 feet of visibility but slightly stained on the south end. Report by TJ Ranft, Ranft Guide Service. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

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