Trout like it cold

Friday, January 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The small bobber twitched, then slowly disappeared in the clear, blue water. The excited angler paused, then swept his spinning rod upward. After a brief tussle, he held a colorful rainbow trout in his hand.

With winter's cold setting its sights directly on the Sooner State, most anglers have traded their fishing rods for VCR remotes. But unlike many warm-water species, trout favor cold water and will actively attack an angler's bait this time of year. And with six wintertime and two year-round state-designated trout areas, there are good trout fishing opportunities within an easy drive of most anglers.

"The newest trout area is Pawhuska Lake, located in Osage County," said Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries in charge of management for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Pawhuska is a clear-water lake with good bank fishing access. This area should be especially attractive to Tulsa-area anglers and those who live in north-central Oklahoma."

Bolton said that the Department also has adjusted its stocking strategy this winter and will be incorporating some large (14- to 24-inch) rainbow trout into its stocking schedules for each area and encourages anglers to periodically check the Department's official website (wildlifedepart-ment.com) for an updated stocking schedule.

Complete details on the Wildlife Department's trout areas, along with season dates, regulations, fishing tips and area maps are printed in the 2001 Oklahoma Fishing Guide.

"We certainly encourage anyone who enjoys fishing to give one of our trout areas a try this winter," Bolton said. "It's a fun activity and can really help cure cabin fever."

Anglers are reminded that anyone fishing in a designated trout area must have the required $7.75 trout permit. There are no exemptions, including lifetime license holders and nonresidents.