Did you know you can fish for trout in Missouri? Yes, you read that right — trout. These cold-water fish aren’t native to the state, but Missouri has been stocking rainbow trout for more than a century. Today, four trout parks in the Ozarks give anglers a chance to fish cold, spring-fed streams stocked throughout the regular season.
What’s a trout park?
First and foremost, a little more about these fish: Trout need cold, clean water, which means fishing for them often takes you to some pretty scenic places. It’s a win-win.
Missouri’s four trout parks feature spring-fed streams supported by on-site trout hatcheries. From March 1 through Oct. 31, the parks are stocked daily, and anglers can keep up to four rainbow or brown trout. Catch-and-release fishing is available during a shorter winter season, with different rules and permit requirements.
Bennett Spring State Park
One of Missouri’s earliest state parks, Bennett Spring State Park is located near Lebanon and built around the fourth-largest spring in the state. More than 100 million gallons of clear, cool water flow from Bennett Spring each day, forming a spring branch that eventually flows into the Niangua River.
Today, trout are the main draw. The spring branch is divided into three fishing zones with different tackle rules, ranging from flies in Zone 1 to natural and scented bait in Zone 3.
Beyond fishing, the park has Civilian Conservation Corps architecture, a dining lodge, hiking trails, a nature center, playgrounds and picnic areas.
If you’re new to fly-fishing, you can sign up for the Jim Rogers Fly Fishing School, where you’ll receive hands-on instruction from Rogers, who holds a master’s certification in fly-fishing instruction from Fly Fishers International. Visitors can stay in cabins, motel rooms or one of the park’s campgrounds.
Montauk State Park
Generations of Missourians have visited Montauk State Park near Salem, Mo., to fish the cold, spring-fed headwaters of the Current River for rainbow and brown trout. Like Missouri’s other trout parks, Montauk has an on-site hatchery that supports the fishery.
Beyond fishing, visitors can hike, bike, use the playgrounds or tour the park’s 1896 gristmill. The park also has Civilian Conservation Corps structures dating to the 1930s, a full-service restaurant, cabins, motel rooms and a campground.
Roaring River State Park
Roaring River State Park is nestled in the rugged hills of the Ozarks near Cassville, not far from the Missouri-Arkansas border. The park is best known for Roaring River Spring, which emerges in a deep, narrow valley and supplies the clear, cool water of Roaring River. Surrounded by limestone bluffs and forest, the park offers a scenic setting for trout fishing.
The park also has a long history. St. Louis businessman Thomas Sayman purchased 2,400 acres surrounding Roaring River Spring and turned the land over to the state. During the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration crews helped develop the park, building trails, cabins, picnic shelters and other structures that remain today. Beyond fishing, visitors can hike, camp, picnic and visit the park’s nature center.
Maramec Spring Park
Maramec Spring Park near St. James, Mo., combines natural beauty, history and outdoor recreation. The area was historically home to Indigenous communities, including the Osage and Shawnee, before becoming a center of Missouri’s early iron industry with the establishment of the Maramec Iron Works.
In the 19th century, Thomas James funded the establishment of the Maramec Iron Works, the first ironworks west of the Mississippi River. Today, the park preserves remnants of the operation, including an intact 19th-century iron furnace.
The park is also home to Maramec Spring, one of Missouri’s largest springs, which produces more than 96 million gallons of water a day. Its cold, clear water supports one of Missouri’s four trout-park fisheries. Visitors can explore the historic ironworks in addition to fishing and other outdoor recreation.
Unlike the other three trout parks, Maramec Spring Park is privately owned and operated by the James Foundation.
What does it cost to fish at Missouri’s trout parks?
Admission to Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River state parks is free. Privately owned Maramec Spring Park charges $7 per car per day.
During the March 1-Oct. 31 season, anglers need a Missouri fishing permit unless exempt, plus a daily trout tag.
A resident annual fishing permit costs $14, while a daily fishing permit for residents and nonresidents costs $9. The daily trout tag costs an additional $5 for anglers 16 and older and $3 for those 15 and younger. Check the Missouri Department of Conservation’s current permit information before your trip.
During the winter catch-and-release season, anglers need a fishing permit and an annual trout permit instead of the daily trout tag, and only flies may be used.
One other gear rule to know: Felt-soled or other porous-soled waders and boots are prohibited at Missouri trout parks to help prevent the spread of invasive species.
Fishing permits can be purchased in advance online, through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s mobile apps or from permit vendors. Daily trout tags, however, are sold only at the four trout parks. Park stores also sell fishing supplies, but available gear and rentals vary by location.
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