Catch-and-keep trout fishing season begins March 1 at Missouri trout parks

Missouri's catch-and-keep trout fishing season officially begins at 6:30 a.m. Monday, March 1, at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem.

 

Trout anglers are required to have a fishing permit and a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri's trout parks and can learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/huntfish/seasons/trout-parks.

 

Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation are encouraging trout anglers to buy their fishing permits ahead of time. Permits can be purchased from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through the MDC free mobile app -- MO Fishing -- available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

 

Daily trout tags can also be purchased at the state park concession stores. Anglers are encouraged to have the correct amount of cash for daily tags and to purchase tags early, if possible.

 

Montauk State Park store hours for purchasing daily trout tags will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to as late as needed on Sunday, Feb. 28, and normal store hours begin Monday, March 1.

 

Bennett Spring State Park and Roaring River State Park store hours for purchasing daily trout tags will be 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to as late as needed on Sunday, Feb. 28, and normal store hours begin Monday, March 1.

 

The parks' campgrounds, lodging units and restaurants are all expected to be busy. Anglers and park visitors are encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and wear face coverings where a 6-foot distance from others cannot be maintained. Visitors should come prepared with water and hand sanitizer, and dressed appropriately for the weather. The parks will not have warming stations as in past years and fish cleaning stations will remain closed.

 

Opening day activities at Bennett Spring State Park and Roaring River State Park will be available for online viewing at mostateparks.com/TroutOpening2021. The trout cams are located near the most popular fishing spots and follow all the fishing action. This is a great opportunity for anglers who are unable to participate in person or for family members wanting to share in the excitement from home.

 

Opening day photos and trout tag sales information from all three state trout parks will be available on the trout season opening day webpage. Anglers can share their photos from opening day through social media by tagging @MoStateParks or using #MOTrout on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of Missouri State Parks managing the state parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation operating the hatcheries and stocking the streams with trout.

 

For more information on trout season opening, visit mostateparks.com or call Roaring River State Park at 417-847-2539, Bennett Spring State Park at 417-532-4338 or Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201.