Every winter Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) stocks select locations throughout the state with seven to14-inch rainbow trout to provide unique winter fishing opportunities. TPWD informed that this year more than 270,000 trout will be stocked statewide including nine stockings right in Wichita Falls. Catching these hungry fish can be easy, making the experience ideal for children and novice anglers.
It is told that many of these sites get an annual dose of at least 1,000 trout, and the fish will begin to bite almost immediately after stocking. Fishing gear can be as basic as an inexpensive spincast rod and reel combo, a small plastic bobber, a fishing weight and a small hook. Locally Plum Lake by the Wichita Falls softball complex once again leads the list.
Fort Richardson State Park (FRSP) in Jacksboro will also receive their first trout on Saturday, Dec. 19 when 1,000 fish will be stocked for a special youth fishing event from 9 a.m. until noon. This is an annual event with youth ages 16 and under eligible to participate. Advance registration is not required and there are usually some great prizes given away.
Many anglers enjoy fly fishing there with a high rate of success. Shortly after the stockings the area can be a little crowded, but the trout and the anglers will soon spread out. The curtailment of water releases for power generation from the PK dam should make the fishing a little more predictable this year.
