One relatively new idea that continues to expand is the “winter” trout, also sometimes called the (seemingly contradictory) “Urban Trout” program. In many areas where waters are too warm in summer for trout, state agencies or sportsmen’s groups stock trout in the winter.
(Photo) This was taken inside the beltway of Washington, DC in November, 2007. A tiny lake in Alexandria, Virginia called Cook Lake along Eisenhower Avenue is stocked with trout each month in winter, starting November 1. The limit is four trout per day. This gentleman had no problem catching his limit of rainbow trout using lures for two and Power Bait, sold in jars, for the others. What may be most interesting is, in this metropolitan area of five million, he was the only person fishing at the lake that weekday afternoon. A trout fishing license is required.
These are fun to catch, and in certain cities, the trout normally associated with a day-long drive to the mountains to streams and lakes are instead right around the corner.
Hatchery trout are a little less exotic than the wily natural trout of the great crystal mountain streams, but they will bite on those carefully hand-tied trout flies and other fabled lures at the tip of a fly rod handed down from generation to generation.
However, the hatchery trout have had it a little easier growing up. They’ll also bite very quickly on a kernel of corn on a size six or eight hook (use a larger hook if you don’t want to keep the fish. They’ll be less likely to swallow it). Another popular bait is called Power Bait, a dough sold in a jar. The most effective way of fishing is to put the bait on the hook and add a split-shot sinker (these are very small sinkers that you pinch onto the line with your fingers) for weight. Cast the line to one of the deeper areas and let it sit right on the bottom. Wait until you see your line moving, then reel in the trout.
If you choose to eat them, these fish are very tasty.
In many areas you do need to purchase a special trout fishing license to fish these winter trout waters, so check the laws. Enter your state and the words fishing license in a search and the link to your regulations will pop up.
Hatchery trout are a little less exotic than the wily natural trout of the great crystal mountain streams, but they will bite on those carefully hand-tied trout flies and other fabled lures at the tip of a fly rod handed down from generation to generation.
However, the hatchery trout have had it a little easier growing up. They’ll also bite very quickly on a kernel of corn on a size six or eight hook (use a larger hook if you don’t want to keep the fish. They’ll be less likely to swallow it). Another popular bait is called Power Bait, a dough sold in a jar. The most effective way of fishing is to put the bait on the hook and add a split-shot sinker (these are very small sinkers that you pinch onto the line with your fingers) for weight. Cast the line to one of the deeper areas and let it sit right on the bottom. Wait until you see your line moving, then reel in the trout.
If you choose to eat them, these fish are very tasty.
In many areas you do need to purchase a special trout fishing license to fish these winter trout waters, so check the laws. Enter your state and the words fishing license in a search and the link to your regulations will pop up.
3 comments:
Another great post. If you take requests, I would love to see something about what fish you can eat and which you should avoid - I don't want to kill something I shouldn't AND I don't want to get a belly full of chemicals from some urban pond.
And it's snowing outside. I'm dying to hit the pond. You're killing me here.
tm, Hey, go fishing!
That's a good idea -- "What do you want to keep?" I suppose that gets into advanced "cleaning and cooking," but for now -- Some fish are much better than others, but there are just a few that are widely considered automatic throwbacks. The main one is the carp. Too bad, because they get so big and they're fun to catch. Even though they're something of a delicacy in other countries, I don't know anyone that eats them, and I don't (I did cook one once just to see. I didn't finish it.) Catfish are great, although not so great when they're enormous. Both of these are bottom feeders, and those often build up more of the chemicals in their flesh. I wouldn't eat catfish from the "urban ponds" or urban rivers either, although eating one just one time probably wouldn't be anything to worry about as long as it's cooked well. (Those catfish at the store are farm raised, they're fine.)
Shad is another fish I don't ever cook, but that's a matter of taste, as you will see them for sale in seafood markets, at least around here in the mid Atlantic. They are fun to catch, though.
Bass, trout, walleyes, yellow and white perch, bluegills, sunfish -- all very good to eat.
Cook Lake has had water and sediments tested for toxins and they are suprizingly lower than the levels said to be bad for human consumption. However, the place gets abused and people litter and stuff like bags and plastic containers get blown around there. I would not eat fish out of there on a regular basis though. Once or twice a month should be fine and avoid the bigger fish (over 7 pounds).
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