Winter fishing in Burnet County

Burnet County welcomes a Rocky Mountain native in January when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department comes to Burnet during its annual rainbow trout release program. About 1,000 of the coldwater fish will hit the water at Hamilton Creek Park on Jan. 22, 2025. 

The trout will be brought in from the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos, which also raises Florida largemouth bass, channel catfish, and koi carp, all of which are stocked in more than 300 Texas reservoirs.

Anglers hoping to snag a rainbow trout at Hamilton Creek only need simple, light tackle—nothing sophisticated—and a valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement for ages 17 and older. Kids under 17 can fish without one. The TPWD sets a daily bag limit of five rainbow trout per angler.

The TPWD has been releasing rainbow trout in Texas waters for around 40 years in an effort to hook residents on the sport of fishing. The department offers some helpful hints to catching one.

Hamilton Creek Park is located one block west of U.S. 281 on West Jackson Street near downtown Burnet. There’s no admission fee for the city park.