The catfish and sunfish in this net are among the 500 that were transfered Tuesday to Kids Paradise Lake.

Chances of hooking a fish in Paradise Lake improved a lot this week

Bob Foos

The fish were brought to Webb City by Kendall Montavy of Osage Catfisheries, Osage Beach.

The temporary closure of the lake at Walter Woods Conservation Area has turned out to be a good thing for Kids Paradise Lake in Webb City’s King Jack Park.

On Tuesday, Missouri Department of Conservation agents oversaw the stocking of 450 “catchable (and releasable)” fish in the west end of the lake. Of the 450, 300 were catfish and 150 were sunfish.

Earlier, a mix of 200 sunfish, bluegill and bass, were emptied into the east end of the lake.

Conservation Agent Kevin Badgley said the department wants to make more fish available, especially for youth. The plan is to hold kids fishing events that had been scheduled this summer at Walter Woods in Webb City.

A fishing permit is required for anyone over 16 years old.

Paradise Lake is catch-and-release for everyone.

All of the Walter Woods Conservation Area is closed because of EPA reclamation activity.

MDC agents Rick Horton (left) and Kevin Badgley discuss aspects of stocking Paradise Lake and scheduling kids fishing days with Bryan Waggoner, director of parks and recreation.