Missouri’s four trout parks offer quality fishing in cold-water streams supported by on-site hatcheries.
On The Fly Freshwater
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On The Fly Freshwater
January 2025
By Polly Dean
Photos by Jimmy Jacobs
When an angler visits one of the Show-me State’s four trout parks, it’s obvious their purpose is to be a vehicle for instilling a love of fishing and perhaps to “hook” another life-time Missouri angler. The trout parks are Maramec Spring Park, as well as Bennett Springs, Roaring River and Montauk State Parks. The streams are stocked often and heavily with trout from the on-site hatcheries. Your chances of hooking a “trophy-sized trout” are pretty darn good! The parks are popular with all ages and skills of fishermen and women, and it’s not uncommon to see youngsters and even infants sitting in their parent’s lap while they wet a line, experiencing the bond of enjoying the outdoors.
The trout parks are quite popular and draw a diverse mix of anglers.
My first experience at a trout park was Roaring River State Park. My angling partner and I fished Zone 2, which has catch-and-release, fly fishing only regulations. Prior to entering the water, we witnessed three young men in their 20s or 30s, excitedly encouraging their fishing buddy who was fighting and eventually landing a large 20-inch-plus rainbow trout. We were pleasantly surprised to hear the young man being congratulated on his first trout caught on a fly! I was thrilled for the entire group and couldn’t help but think that this was a young man that would be hooked for life on fly-fishing.
Daily trout tags are required in the parks and can be purchased for a nominal fee at the park’s office. Trout season is open until October 31st. Only catch-and-release fishing is available from the second Friday in November through the second Monday in February. Only flies may be used during this season.
Bennett Springs State Park
Bennett Springs State Park is one of Missouri’s oldest state parks and continues to attract fishermen and nature enthusiasts. More than 100 million gallons of clear, cool water gushes from Bennett Springs each day and forms a spring branch that is stocked daily with rainbow trout during the fishing season. Maps of the different zone areas that have various lure and bait regulations are available in the park office.
The three designated areas are: Zone 1 is located from the spring to the dam and allows only flies with or without spinners. Zone 2 is from the hatchery dam to the whistle bridge. Only flies and artificial lures are permitted. Zone 3 is from the whistle bridge to the Niangua River. Only soft baits, either scented or unscented are permitted. Flies and artificial lures are prohibited, even if scent has been added.
Targeting the fly-fishng-only, catch-and-release areas will get you away from the crowds.
For those desiring fly-fishing lessons, the park offers free general classes as well as private sessions. Three accessible fishing piers have been constructed to help anglers of all abilities reach the water. To learn trout fishing hours, which vary from month to month, check the park website or at the office.
Other amenities located in Bennett Springs State Park are a dining lodge, campgrounds, cabins and hiking trails.
Montauk State Park
Montauk State Park is located at the headwaters of the Current River. Combined with small Pigeon Creek and the park’s springs, the 40 million gallons of cool water are perfect for stocking with rainbow and brown trout stocked, which makes the park popular with anglers.
Montauk has three areas with differing angling regulations. The catch-and-release only area mandates the use of flies only, with all fish immediately returned to the water. The fly-fishing only area also requires only flies be used, but does allow the harvest of fish. Finaly the artificial lures and natural bait area is open to all legal fishing methods. Maps showing the boundaries of the areas are available at the park office.
Montauk State Park presently is closed due to flooding until at least February 21st. Check the park website for updated information regarding closures.
Roaring River State Park
Located in the southwest Ozark hills and situated in a deep narrow valley surrounded by rugged landscape, Roaring River State Park is one of Missouri’s most popular state parks. Stocked with rainbow trout, anglers flock to Roaring River year-round to try and catch one of their lunker trout.
Zone 2 was the section where we began our day of fishing and we weren’t disappointed. It is the only section where wading was allowed, is designated as catch-and-release only, as well as having a section for fly-fishing only. I hooked a 17-inch rainbow which turned out to be my largest fish of the day. It put up a good fight and as it zig-zagged as I reeled it in against the current, I was also greeted with encouragement from a bystander on the opposite bank. When I was finally successful in netting the hefty ‘bow I was issued more congratulations from my observer.
The author with her 17-inch rainbow.
Zone 1 on the river mandates unscented, artificial baits only, while Zone 3 is open to the use of any baits or lures.
The park has multiple hiking trails and a nature center. For those that wish to stay overnight, campgrounds, rustic cabins or comfortable, modern rooms at their Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center are available. The inn also houses a full-service restaurant.
Maramec Spring Park
Maramec Spring is located on the Maramec River in the east-central Ozarks near St. James. It is the only trout park that is not also a state park. Still, the fishing is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Maramec Spring is the 5th largest in the state, with a flow of 100,000 gallons of water per day. It also provides water for the on-site trout hatchery. The fish raised there, support heavy stocking within the park.
The park provides year-round fishing with the harvest season running from March until October. There is a winter catch-and-release season as well. The stream is restocked each day during the fishing season with brown and rainbow trout from the 100,000 raised annually by the hatchery.
Maramec Spring Park is open daily from 8 a.m. To 4 p.m. The park has numerous campsites available for those that wish to stay overnight.
