With spring quickly approaching, it is time for one of the traditional activities that mark the changing of the seasons.
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With spring quickly approaching, it is time for one of the traditional activities that mark the changing of the seasons: the annual trout fishing opening in Missouri state parks. At 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, trout fishing season begins at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem.
Regardless of the weather, officials expect more than 6,000 trout tags to be sold at the three parks. Trout tags can be purchased at the state park concession store. Trout fishing season runs each year through Oct. 31.
Although trout fishing will be the main activity at the three parks on opening day, the parks also offer other opportunities, including hiking and learning about the parks through exhibits in the interpretive and nature centers. All three parks feature campgrounds and dining and lodging facilities.
Visitors for opening day can expect to see improvements at all three state parks. Improvements have been made in cabins at both Roaring River and Montauk state parks, and the bathhouse in campground four at Bennett Spring State Park has been renovated. There have been infrastructure improvements to help provide better service while protecting the environment, and landscaping projects have improved the appearances of the parks. Three new accessible fishing piers are available at Montauk State Park. Work is continuing on the swimming pool at Bennett Spring State Park in an effort have it repaired by Memorial Day weekend. Check with the park office for the current status of pool repairs later in the spring.
Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which manages state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which stocks the stream with trout.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, contact the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf ), or visit the Web site at www.mostateparks.com. For news releases on our Web site visit www.dnr.state.mo.us/newsrel