Anglers in Llano County are in for a treat during the winter thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s annual rainbow trout release program. A highly anticipated tradition for over 40 years, thousands of the colorful, coldwater fish are set loose in Texas waterways to be caught by anglers.
In early December 2024, 2,400 rainbow trout were released in the Llano River near the Castell General Store. A second rainbow trout release is planned for the Llano River at Grenwelge Park just below the Llano Dam on Feb. 2, 2025.
Rainbow trout are coldwater fish that cannot survive in warmer Texas waterways outside of the winter months. The daily bag limit set by the TPWD for rainbow trout is five fish per day per angler. Anglers ages 17 and older need a valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement before dropping a line. Anglers under the age of 17, or anyone fishing off of the banks inside a Texas State Park, do not need a license.
No sophisticated fishing equipment is required to snag a fish. Rainbow trout can be caught using simple, light tackle. The fish are fun to catch and the program is one way the TPWD hopes to hook folks on angling in Texas.
Grenwelge Park is located at 199 E. Haynie St. in downtown Llano. The location of the Castell release on the Llano River is near the Castell General Store, 19522 RR 152 West in Castell. Fishing access is available on the Llano River near Castell here.
