JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Staff at Missouri State Parks’ three trout parks are gearing up for a springtime ritual – the opening of trout fishing season on March 1. The season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville.
Opening day of trout season is an important Missouri tradition, marking the beginning of a season that runs until Oct. 31. In addition to premier trout fishing, visitors to the state’s trout parks can enjoy miles of hiking trails, lodging and camping options and on-site dining facilities.
“Our park staff spend much of the year looking forward to the crowds that visit on opening day, and are expecting a successful start of the 2014 catch-and-keep trout season,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “I encourage anglers to take some time to enjoy our world-class trout streams and then stop in at the dining lodge for a good hot meal.”
Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of Missouri State Parks, which manages state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which operates the hatcheries and stocks the streams with trout.
For more information on trout opening, visit Mo.gov or call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201, Roaring River State Park at 417-847-2539 or Bennett Spring State Park at 417-532-4338.
For information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
