Fish For Winter Trout at Cane Creek Park

Fish for winter trout at Cane Creek Park

COOKEVILLE – A fish normally found in cold-water streams can now be caught at Cane Creek Park.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency released approximately 5,000 rainbow trout into the park’s 56-acre lake in December and January through its annual statewide winter trout stocking program.

“We stock urban areas to promote winter fishing,” Jack Swearengin, TWRA fisheries biologist, said. “We want people to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors.”

Cane Creek Park Manager Dennis Woolbright said locals are eager to take advantage of the opportunity.

“We have people who come back every year for it,” he said. “They don’t have to travel far – it’s a local lake.”

The trout are 7-10 inches long. The daily creel limit is seven per fisherman, and each person must use his or her own creel.

Tennessee residents ages 13 and up must have a trout permit in addition to their fishing license.

“By buying the trout stamp, you’re actually helping to replenish the trout,” Swearengin said. “That money goes right back into the trout program.”

The winter trout are raised in Tennessee hatcheries and taken to urban areas where it’s too hot most of the year for them to live. Cane Creek Park’s trout came from the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery in Celina.

“Trout is a cold-water species, so this gives people more opportunities to fish for them – especially in these city parks,” Steven Arms of the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery said.

Swearengin said trout thrive at Cane Creek Park, surviving throughout the spring and even into early summer.

“We’ve had people to catch them in June,” he said. “But as the water temperature increases, they will die out, so we encourage people to catch them and take them home.”

Swearengin said Cane Creek Park anglers should also be on the lookout for a few bigger trout. TWRA recently released 20 in the three- to five-pound range “to add a little more excitement.”

What’s the best way to catch a trout?

Swearengin and Woolbright recommend whole kernel corn, salmon eggs, red worms or commercial bait such as rooster tails and spinners.

“They’re not really difficult to catch,” Swearengin said.

Cane Creek Park is open daily from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. at 201 C C Camp Road. It has two fishing piers and a boat ramp for non-motorized and electric-powered boats.

“We appreciate the City of Cookeville participating in this program,” Swearengin said. “It not only promotes fishing, but it’s good for local recreation for kids and grownups. Come on out and enjoy the outdoors.”

PHOTO CUTLINES:

  1. Gathering Wednesday at Cane Creek Park for the release of rainbow trout through Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s winter trout stocking program are, from left, Dennis Woolbright of Cane Creek Park, Jack Swearengin of TWRA and Steven Arms of Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery.
  2. Approximately 5,000 rainbow trout were released at Cane Creek Park in December and January through TWRA’s winter trout stocking program.