February marks prime trout fishing time

Darrin Schildknecht, of Lilleys' Landing at Lake Taneycomo, looks over a record trout taken from the popular trout stream.

February is the best time of the year to catch big trout on Lake Taneycomo, according to many hardy anglers who fish the cold waters of the popular trout stream.

For many years, my largest trout of the year have come from Taneycomo, including an 8-pounder I caught in February. On a recent trip to the lake, I found there are many other anglers who think this month is the best time to go after lunker trout on the lake.

Lamar Patton, from Scotty's Trout Dock, in Branson, said, "For whatever reason, you see a lot more big trout caught in February. A couple of years ago, in February, we had three trout that weighed more than 15 pounds brought into the dock within a week.

"The state-record trout was also caught in February. The lake is in good shape and the fishermen who are out are catching fish."

On a mild day last Sunday, anglers on the docks and in boats were pulling in rainbow trout, including Anna and Patrick Gibbs, of Belton, Mo. The Gibbs' were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary by trout fishing at Taneycomo.

"We love to trout fish and we usually had good luck in February at Taneycomo. We will be at Bennett Spring, March 1, for the trout parks opening day. We love to trout fish," Anna said.

Darrin Schildknecht, from Lilleys' Landing dock on Taneycomo, said, "The fishing in February is good. The lake isn't crowded and anglers who are out catch fish."

Bob Davis, Springfield, was one of the many trout anglers who could be found out on the lake last weekend and said, " I have fished the lake in February for more than 15 years and have always caught the largest fish of the year that month. When they aren't running water from Table Rock, I use Little Cleos or small white jigs.

"When the water is moving, I go to heavy jigs and spoons. This is my favorite time of the year to go after big trout, but I catch trout anytime of the year on the lake. It's a great, year-round trout stream."

On March 1, thousands of Missouri trout anglers are likely to converge on the state's four trout parks, but some anglers will be fishing on Taneycomo instead, to avoid the crowds. Carl Hastings, Joplin, was on the lake just last week and was catching fish.

He said, "I used to be at Roaring River for the season opener, but after fishing Taneycomo and catching big trout without fighting all the other fishermen, I usually celebrate March 1 by hitting Taneycomo, where I know there won't be as much competition and I know I can catch trout. I fish the lake in the winter months and usually have good luck.

"I almost always catch my largest trout in February. Last year, I caught my largest rainbow trout in February, it weighed just over 9 pounds."

The 22-mile long trout lake has a lot of followers. Arnold Watson, Des Moines, Iowa, makes an annual trip to Branson in February and fishes for trout at Taneycomo.

Watson said, "It's not just an excuse to get away from the cold February in Iowa, it's the one month I know I can catch some big fish in the lake during the month. Years ago, I had a fishing friend that told me about the lake where he always catches big trout in the winter so I decided to give it a try. I am glad I did.

"It's gotten to be a tradition, just like the trout anglers at the trout parks on opening day. My old fishing friend liked it so much that he bought a home in Branson and moved here. Now, we can both fish for trout on the lake an I have a local guide as well as a fishing buddy."

Although trout fishing goes on all year on the lake, the anglers who fish Taneycomo this month all tend to agree that now is the best time of the year to catch that big one.