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.