No Burnet trout release to be held this winter
Hamilton Creek Lake in downtown Burnet will not be stocked with rainbow trout for 2026 winter fishing due to lasting effects of the July 4 flood. Staff photo
The city of Burnet will not hold its annual rainbow trout release at Hamilton Creek Park this winter due to the long-term effects of the historic July 4 floods. The winter tradition has been a popular activity for local anglers for decades, typically coupled with vendors and good eats.
Burnet City Manager David Vaughn told DailyTrib that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s deadline for this year’s trout release, which landed around the fall months of 2025, was too soon after the July flooding for the city to know logistically if it would be prepared to hold the event.
“We did not order any trout this year because of all the flood damage at (Hamilton Creek Park),” Vaughn said. “It is my understanding that we had to place the order in August or September and there were just too many unknowns at the time.”
In previous years, Hamilton Creek Park has seen anywhere up to 1,000 trout released as part of the TPWD initiative. TPWD has estimated that over 335,000 trout will be released this year statewide.
For any interested anglers still wanting in on trout action, Llano will be holding its annual release party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Grenwelge Park. Fishers can expect fly fishing, free hot dogs, and a Q&A session with TPWD Angler Education Program representatives.