CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Anglers eagerly watched March 21, 2024, as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources released 2,000 trout into the lake at Prairie Park Fishery.
Eric Bailey, Natural Resources Technician 2 with the DNR, said the majority of the rainbow trout — from the Manchester Fish Hatchery — were about 15 months old and 11 inches long, with a few larger 3-year-old female brood stock and 2-year-old males included, which were no longer needed for breeding.
Bailey said most of the 1/2-pound “catchable-size” trout went into the lake through a discharge pipe, while the larger brood stock, along with some of the smaller trout, were netted to aid in the flow of fish through the pipe.
“At this time of year, the water is perfect for them,” he said, with water temperatures under 70 degrees.
The Iowa DNR released 2,000 trout into the lake at Prairie Park Fishery in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The majority will be caught before the heat of summer, Bailey noted, when water temperatures are not as conducive to trout. The DNR releases trout into the lake at the Prairie Park Fishery, 2125 Otis Road SE, twice a year, at the end of March and again in mid-November.
Some of the two dozen anglers who came to the lake Thursday had already caught larger trout that had survived since they were released last fall, while others were there to try their luck at the newly released trout.
“That’s the first trout I’ve ever caught,” said Austin Gray of Cedar Rapids, holding up one of the trout that likely had just been released.
Gray said he normally fishes in the Cedar River, but came specifically for the trout Thursday.
Austin Gray holds a trout caught March 21, 2024, at Prairie Park Fishery in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
More than 130 million fish are stocked annually into Iowa waters, raised in cold water fish hatcheries, cool and warm water hatcheries and egg-taking stations, according to the DNR.
Fish raised and stocked from hatcheries include trout, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, northern pike, saugeye, walleye and more.
According to the DNR, anglers interested in fishing for trout are required to possess a valid license and a state trout stamp. The trout stamp may be purchased at any local sporting retailer who sells fishing licenses.
Prairie Park Fishery is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Related: Dead trout reported in McLoud Run
See more photos from the trout release, below:
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