Missouri’s version of March Madness happens on the first day of that month, when thousands of anglers make the annual pilgrimage to four trout parks. This year’s crowd promises to be bigger than most.
The reason? Opening day falls on Saturday.
The event marks the start of catch-and-keep season at nearby Montauk State Park east of Licking. Attendance is a tradition for Texas Countians and out-of-state anglers alike. They rise before dawn, sometimes in beastly weather and line the banks of spring-fed streams. Catching rainbow and brown trout is the immediate objective, but equally important are shaking off cabin fever and enjoying the camaraderie of a seasonal ritual.
In the past, attendance at the trout opener has varied from approximately 8,000 to more than 14,000. The number of anglers soars in years when March 1 falls on a weekend. This year’s event is expected to draw at least 10,000. The actual number could be much more with fair weather.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources owns Montauk State Park. The Missouri Department of Conservation operates hatcheries and provides trout to stock waters.
To ensure a good season start, the conservation department stocks three fish for each angler expected to visit each trout park on opening day. Each park also stocks 50 to a few hundred “lunker” fish weighing three pounds or more.
Missouri’s trout park tradition includes asking dignitaries or long-time supporters to sound the siren or fire the pistol that signals the start of fishing at each park.
Ralph and Mary Mudd will be at Montauk State Park. The Mudds stumbled into their first season opener in 1975 when returning from Branson to their home in Illinois and still return each year.
At Montauk State Park, repairs were completed on some rental cabins and motel rooms. A stream habitat project that involved the installation of root wads into the stream was completed to enhance fishing opportunities. Gravel and sand were removed from select locations in the Current River to improve depth of fishing holes.
Fishing at trout parks requires a daily tag, which can be purchased at park concession stores. Anglers age 16 and older also need a valid Missouri fishing permit. Anglers age 65 and older are exempt from the fishing permit requirement.
2007 fishing permits expire Feb. 29. Lines to buy 2008 permits at trout parks are always long on opening morning. Savvy anglers buy their permits before arriving.
The daily limit is four trout. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on brown trout. Rainbows of any length or size may be kept. Trout regulations have not changed this year, but it is wise to review area regulations in pamphlets available at each park.
The conservation department encourages anglers to participate in the improved “I Released a Lunker Program.” Anglers who catch and release big trout can get recognition patches to commemorate their achievement and the fact that they let the fish go for another angler to catch.
To qualify, you must catch an 18-inch or larger trout at one of the four trout parks in the state between March 1 and Oct. 31 and immediately release the fish in good condition. One witness is required to verify the catch and release. Applications are available at park hatchery offices.
To recognize anglers who catch and release lunkers at all four trout parks, the conservation department has a Grand Slam Patch around which the other four patches can be sewn.