St. Louis Opens Emergency Fish Salvage at Willmore Park’s North Lake

A leaking lake in St. Louis is getting an unusual fishing exception. The Missouri Department of Conservation has authorized an emergency fish salvage order for Willmore Park’s North Lake, opening additional harvest methods and suspending length, daily and possession limits through February 1, 2027.

The order is already in effect, according to MDC’s November 3 announcement. Falling water levels have made it difficult to sustain the fish population in the 1.5-acre lake. The purpose is to let anglers make use of fish that the agency says will not survive sustained low water, rather than lose that resource as the lake drains.

The exception applies to North Lake—not every pond in the park or other St. Louis fishing waters. Endangered species listed in section 3 CSR 10-4.111 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri remain excluded from harvest under the order.

In addition to methods already allowed at the lake, MDC lists gigs, snagging, grabbing, dip nets, throw nets, seines and hand fishing as permitted salvage methods. But the state order does not override city restrictions: every method must also comply with activities permitted and restrictions established by the City of St. Louis. Check those local requirements before choosing equipment or entering the water.

The normal public-access and fishing hours still apply. MDC also says anglers ages 16 through 64 must still hold a valid Missouri fishing permit. This is a temporary change to harvest rules, not an announcement of free fishing or unrestricted access.

The City of St. Louis owns and manages North Lake. MDC stocks it and manages the fish population through the St. Louis Urban Fishing Program. Willmore Park sits near Jamison and Loughborough avenues along River Des Peres.

MDC says the lake will be fully drained in 2027, when an investigation into the water loss and possible solutions will begin. Renovation options will also be explored. The announcement does not give a repair-completion date or a schedule for restoring the fishery.

For anglers planning a visit, the immediate distinction is straightforward: North Lake offers a temporary chance to harvest fish under relaxed limits, while permits, park hours, endangered-species protections and city restrictions remain in place. Read the MDC salvage announcement before heading out, especially if you intend to use a method outside ordinary rod-and-reel fishing.

Illustrative photograph: anglers at Winthrop Fishing Pond, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service media library. This is not a photograph of Willmore Park or the current salvage operation. Public domain.

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