The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s annual winter rainbow trout stockings program will start soon.
Starting in late November, and continuing through March, the TPWD will stock nearly 300,000 hatchery-reared rainbow trout at more than 140 sites across Texas – including Weeks Pond in Wichita Falls.
Many of the fish stockings will take place at small community fishing lakes, state parks and popular river tailraces – offering easy angling access.
The TPWD has been stocking rainbows each winter since the 1970s, providing Texans a simple and economical way to fish.
The program takes place during the winter due to cooler water temperature in Texas water bodies the fish require to survive.
This experience is ideal for both novice anglers and kids.
The fish will bite almost immediately after stocking, and typically will take a variety of baits, from whole kernel canned corn or commercial soft bait to artificial flies and even small spinner baits.
Fishing gear may be as basic as an inexpensive spincast rod-and-reel combo, a small plastic bobber, a fishing weight and a hook. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

Rainbow trout. (Courtesy photo from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, used with permission)