Starting This Week, You’ll Be Able to Catch Trout Here in Minden

You could fish Louisiana waters every day for the rest of your life and if your bucket list included the need to catch a rainbow trout, you'd pass without ever checking that one off.

Trout just aren't native to the Bayou State. A person doesn't have to travel too far north into Arkansas to catch them, but catching one down here would be nothing short of a miracle.

However, beginning this Thursday, January 27, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will make a change to status quo.

That's when LDWF is planning to stock non-native rainbow trout to Turner's Pond in Minden.

If you're not familiar with Turner's Pond in Minden but would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity, just go HERE for directions.

Ponds That Will Be Stocked January 27

They will actually stock these trout this Thursday beginning at 4:00 am to a number of lakes/ponds in Louisiana including: Parc Natchitoches, Purple Heart Memorial Park, Forts Randolph and Buhlow, William T. Polk Park, Kiroli Park, Elmore D. Mayfield Park in Ruston and Grambling City Park.

Ponds That Will Be Stocked February 3

A number of other places will see rainbow trout stocking by LDWF next Thursday, February 3, including: I-10 Park, Girard Park, Southside Regional Park, Bayou Country Sports Complex, Joe Brown Park, Brec's Burbank Park, Sidney Hutchinson, Zemurray Park and Bogue Chitto State Park.

Since most of us don't actually have much experience catching these non-native rainbow trout, the LDWF lists the following tips to help you be successful on your outing:

• We suggest fishing for rainbow trout with a light line and small hook. You might try a small spinner lure or rooster tail. Many people have luck with power bait as well. You can catch rainbow trout with both live and dead bait.