Where To Go Fishing
Time to get out there!
This page provides a link to every public trout fishing destination in Missouri, categorized to help you find what you're looking for. That said, I am not affiliated with the Missouri Department of Conservation. There may be inaccuracies regarding regulations and whatnot, since those things are changed from time to time. Do yourself a favor, and fact-check me! When I first started working on this page back in 2003, this information was hard to come by -- that's why I did this! Nowadays, the MDC has a great online resource located at http://mdc.mo.gov. If you discover that I have any inaccuracies, please let me know, so I can fix it.
The Trout Parks
Missouri's trout parks are managed to provide easily accessible trout fishing, hatchery-to-table harvest, and the opportunity to catch a trophy-sized trout. You'll need a state fishing license and a daily trout tag, available at the park's store, but a seasonal trout permit will not be required. During the harvest season of March 1 to October 31, the daily limit is 4 trout in combination, but brown trout must be 15 inches or longer. Regulations vary by park and are readily available on site. Each park also hosts a catch-and-release season between mid-November and mid- February, flies only.
Missouri's trout parks are managed to provide easily accessible trout fishing, hatchery-to-table harvest, and the opportunity to catch a trophy-sized trout. You'll need a state fishing license and a daily trout tag, available at the park's store, but a seasonal trout permit will not be required. During the harvest season of March 1 to October 31, the daily limit is 4 trout in combination, but brown trout must be 15 inches or longer. Regulations vary by park and are readily available on site. Each park also hosts a catch-and-release season between mid-November and mid- February, flies only.
White Ribbon Trout Areas
White Ribbon Trout Areas are managed for harvesting trout for the dinner table and are stocked every few weeks, when the water conditions allow. All baits are permitted. The daily limit is four trout, including rainbow trout of any size and brown trout 15 inches or larger. Most White Ribbon streams allow for these regulations year around, although Hickory Creek and Stone Mill Spring Branch are catch and release only, flies and lures only, November through February.
White Ribbon Trout Areas are managed for harvesting trout for the dinner table and are stocked every few weeks, when the water conditions allow. All baits are permitted. The daily limit is four trout, including rainbow trout of any size and brown trout 15 inches or larger. Most White Ribbon streams allow for these regulations year around, although Hickory Creek and Stone Mill Spring Branch are catch and release only, flies and lures only, November through February.
Red Ribbon Trout Areas
Red Ribbon Trout Areas are managed to produce larger trout with the opportunity for responsible harvest. The daily limit is two trout at least 15 inches or longer. Regulations call for flies or lures only, soft plastics specifically prohibited.
Red Ribbon Trout Areas are managed to produce larger trout with the opportunity for responsible harvest. The daily limit is two trout at least 15 inches or longer. Regulations call for flies or lures only, soft plastics specifically prohibited.
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Blue Ribbon Trout Areas
Blue Ribbon Trout Areas are managed to produce trophy-sized trout and/or to protect wild reproduction of trout in delicate habitats. The daily limit is one trout at least 18 inches or longer. Regulations calls for flies or lures only, soft plastics specifically prohibited.
Blue Ribbon Trout Areas are managed to produce trophy-sized trout and/or to protect wild reproduction of trout in delicate habitats. The daily limit is one trout at least 18 inches or longer. Regulations calls for flies or lures only, soft plastics specifically prohibited.
Taneycomo Special Management Area
This refers to just one fishery in Missouri. Lake Taneycomo is managed to provide state- and world-record class trout while also providing the opportunity for limited harvest for the dinner table. No fishing is allowed within 760 feet of the foot of Table Rock Dam. From that point downstream to the mouth of Fall Creek, all rainbow trout between 12 and 20 inches must be released unharmed. Regulations call for flies and lures only in that area. Downstream from Fall Creek, bait and soft plastics are also permitted. In all Taneycomo waters, including tributaries, the daily limit is 4 trout, one of which may be a brown trout. All brown trout taken from Taneycomo must be at least 20 inches in length. Unlike the other public trout waters in Missouri, a trout stamp is required to fish at Lake Taneycomo, regardless of whether you plan to harvest fish for the table or not.
This refers to just one fishery in Missouri. Lake Taneycomo is managed to provide state- and world-record class trout while also providing the opportunity for limited harvest for the dinner table. No fishing is allowed within 760 feet of the foot of Table Rock Dam. From that point downstream to the mouth of Fall Creek, all rainbow trout between 12 and 20 inches must be released unharmed. Regulations call for flies and lures only in that area. Downstream from Fall Creek, bait and soft plastics are also permitted. In all Taneycomo waters, including tributaries, the daily limit is 4 trout, one of which may be a brown trout. All brown trout taken from Taneycomo must be at least 20 inches in length. Unlike the other public trout waters in Missouri, a trout stamp is required to fish at Lake Taneycomo, regardless of whether you plan to harvest fish for the table or not.
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Winter Trout Lakes
The winter trout lakes are managed to provide trout angling opportunities to those who do not live in the spring-fed trout stream regions of the state. Trout stockings begin around November 1 each year. Regulations vary by location, with some fisheries allowing harvest through the winter season without limitations on which baits can be used, while others require a period of catch-and-release fishing earlier in the winter along with restrictions on what types of baits can be used. This category of trout fisheries changes periodically. New lakes are routinely added to the list, and regulations are adjusted. Since this website is not affiliated with the Missouri Department of Conservation, you'd do well to double-check the regulations before you head out. And if you see any inaccuracies, please drop me a line to let me know!
The winter trout lakes are managed to provide trout angling opportunities to those who do not live in the spring-fed trout stream regions of the state. Trout stockings begin around November 1 each year. Regulations vary by location, with some fisheries allowing harvest through the winter season without limitations on which baits can be used, while others require a period of catch-and-release fishing earlier in the winter along with restrictions on what types of baits can be used. This category of trout fisheries changes periodically. New lakes are routinely added to the list, and regulations are adjusted. Since this website is not affiliated with the Missouri Department of Conservation, you'd do well to double-check the regulations before you head out. And if you see any inaccuracies, please drop me a line to let me know!