Every March 1, hundreds of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season. In past years, anglers have faced frigid winter temperatures, snow, sleet and ice, as well as sunshine and springlike weather, all in the attempt to catch an elusive lunker trout. This Missouri tradition creates lasting memories, along with some of the biggest fish stories you’ve ever heard!
This year, Sunday, March 1, at 6:30 a.m. marks the opening of the season that runs through Oct. 31. To participate, Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents 16 and older are required to purchase a fishing permit. In addition to a fishing permit, trout anglers must also purchase a daily trout tag. Tags can be purchased at the trout parks: Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem.
A daily trout tag at the three state parks costs $5 for adults and $3 for youth 15 years and younger. Daily fishing permits are $9. The daily limit is four trout, and the possession limit is eight. For more information on fishing at trout parks, visit mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/trout-parks. Anglers are encouraged to purchase their fishing permits ahead of time from any of numerous vendors throughout Missouri, online at mdc-web.s3licensing.com/ or through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s free MO Fishing mobile app.
Stores at the trout parks also will be open for purchasing trout tags.
Montauk State Park
- Friday, Feb. 27: Store – 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; restaurant – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 28: Store – 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. (new this year); restaurant – 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 1: Store – 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.; restaurant – 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Bennett Spring State Park
- Friday, Feb. 27: Store – 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.; restaurant – closed.
- Saturday, Feb. 28: Store – 9 a.m. – remains open all night; restaurant – noon to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, March 1: Store – Closing at 9 p.m.; restaurant – 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Roaring River State Park
- Friday, Feb. 27: Store – 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; restaurant – 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 28: Store – 8 a.m.– remains open all night; restaurant – 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday, March 1: Store – Closing at 8 p.m.; restaurant. – 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The parks’ campgrounds, lodging units and restaurants will be busy. Visitors should be prepared with their own water and snacks, and dress appropriately for the weather.
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, X and Instagram.
Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks managing the state parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation operating the hatcheries and stocking the streams with trout.
To help prevent the spread of the invasive alga didymo or “rock snot,” the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo and buffer areas.
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.