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The Trout Parks
This page was updated 6/19/06



The Trout Parks include:
Bennett Spring State Park * Maramec Spring Park
Montauk State Park * Roaring River State Park


The four Missouri Trout Parks see more fishermen by far than all the other trout waters combined, so, obviously, there must something good going on. Like most types of trout waters, the trout parks have their pro's and con's.

At the trout parks, you'll find amenities that will please the whole family. These include manicured lawns, plenty of lodging and/or improved camping sites, retail stores, restaurants, playgrounds, museums, swimming pools, etc. Three of the four parks also provide great floating rivers just downstream with numerous outfitters ready to rent you a canoe. And, of course, there are tons of fish with easy bank access, even to those fishermen with physical challenges. The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks the parks every night between March 1 and October 31, stocking roughly two fish for every fisherman they expect to show up the next day.

Of course, there is a downside. You're typically fishing in crowded conditions. You must purchase a daily fishing tag and actually attach it to your person so conservation agents can verify you've paid without having to survey the fishermen one by one. You must follow strict regulations regarding what type of bait may be used in which area. A siren sounds to alert you to when you may begin fishing and when you must stop. Overall, the fact that they have you jump through so many hoops is actually kind of comical. And, with so many other trout fishing opportunities available, there are many fishermen who avoid the trout parks like the plague. In fact, a primary reason that trout parks seems to rub some trout fisherman the wrong way is that the rivers are of such high quality, a true naturally reproducing trout fishery could be developed on any of those sites. To those fishermen, a commercial trout park of this nature seems like a waste of natural resources. Supporters, however, feel that the trout parks do a wonderful job at making natural resources accessible to those who would otherwise be left out, and this is a great point. The trout parks serve another of the MDC's primary purposes, as well. They are the best recruiters of new trout fishermen in this state.

Other Missouri Trout Waters
White Ribbon Areas Areas * Red Ribbon Areas
Blue Ribbon Areas Areas * Urban Winter Trout Areas


During the winter, you'll find more solitude and peace, if you can handle colder temperatures. The normal trout park fishing season runs from March 1 through October 31 every year. However, starting on the second Friday in November and stretching through the second Friday in February, the 3 state parks are open to catch-and-release fly fishing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Maramec Spring Park was open every day during the 2005-06 winter season. Those trout fishermen that wouldn't be caught dead in the parks during the main season often fish the parks, and nowhere else, during the winter. By the time the winter season starts, the fish have become unaccustomed to humans and are already feeding naturally on insects and small fish. And with a beautiful river set in an immaculate setting still stocked to overflowing with fish who are now acting wild, what's not to love? There is a special permit that you'll need, and you can buy one at the hatchery office.







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