Trout Park Fishing in Missouri

There are four trout parks in Missouri. The four parks are Roaring River State Park, Maramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park, and Montauk State Park. All of these parks are stocked every single day from March 1 to October 31. That means that these parks will be loaded with trout all the time from early spring to late fall. Winter fishing is also good. In the winter, trout are stocked periodically, and fishing is catch and release only. Here we will discuss the trout fishing methods and techniques ay Maramec Springs State Park and at Montauk State Park. If you would like additional information about great brown or rainbow trout fishing at these parks, where we go into a bit more depth, visit the links above. Also, keep in mind that regulations change and that the Missouri Department of Conservation is your final authority on all fishing regulations in Missouri. A final piece of advice, if you plan to enjoy the awesome Winter fishing opportunities at these parks, the schedules are different than for Summer, and fishing tackle and licenses are not typically available at the parks as they are other times of the year.

Maramec Springs in the Winter

Maramec Springs park is the nearest trout park to St. Louis, and it shows, at least when you are allowed to keep fish. Winter fishing is completely different as you will have much of the water to yourself. Also, there are many more large fish caught in this catch and release season.. This park is often busy during the catch and keep season, and the problem is compounded by the fact that the spring branch is less than a mile long. With that said, it's still a great place to fish, just don't expect it to come easy. It seems the best way to catch trout consistently here is to pick one school of fish, (the water is usually so clear you pretty much see any fish in the creek within ten yards) and concentrate on it. If you jump every time you see a different school of fish, you'll make yourself crazy. Instead, cast to that one school with everything in your tackle box. If you are spin fishing, you'll want small spinners, Zeke's trout bait or Powerbait, 1/128 ounce white marabou jigs, glow-balls in a variety of colors, and small crankbaits. You may have to cast to the school of fish for some time before you make your catch, so be patient.

You are best off here, as well as at other parks to fish as light as possible. Typically, spin fishermen use 2 lb or 4 lb line and an ultralight setup. For a complete rundown on a setup to use we have a trout park spin fishing basic set-up page to help you out. Waders are a plus, but in the warm months you will see some folks wet-wading the area. In colder months, you will certainly need a set of waders, preferably chest waders, but hip-waders will suffice.

If you are a fly fisherman, the same basics apply. You will want to fish light. A 5/6 weight rod or lighter is about right with 6x or 7x tapered leaders and strike indicators are part of the set-up. Maribou jigs, glow-balls, woolly buggers, pheasant tail nymphs, and copper johns are all typical winners. If you are interested in getting started fly fishing, these parks are an excellent foray into the sport. We have a page dedicated to beginning fly fishing as well as a page detailing a nice, yet reasonably priced, beginning fly fishing setup.

Montauk State Park is located at the headwaters of the Current River, and is probably the most "natural" of the trout parks with the normal "riffle, pool, run" pattern of a western trout stream. Montauk has three river miles, and it's pretty much all good water. Probably the best part about Montauk is that trophy sized holdover trout can be caught. In the other parks, most trophy trout caught are retired brood stock, but in the catch and release area, and the more remote part of the put and take area, trout can be caught that have been in the river a long time, and reached their trophy status there. Really, the same techniques are effective at Montauk as at Maramec if you're going after the fresh stockers, but use more natural lures, such as minnow imitating crankbaits and live crayfish if you want a trophy. One extra bonus here is that brown trout are more frequent than at the other parks, and provide a decent trophy fishery.

Montauk State Park "Fly Only" Area

    The Missouri trout parks are a great place to fish, but most people don't know the challenge they provide. The only way to really know is to check it out for yourself. Good luck!
Opening day for "catch-and-keep" is March 1st. The parks will be wall-to-wall with fishermen, but this is when a significant portion of the big fish are caught at the parks. If you are a brave soul, or you like fishing with hundreds or thousands of like-minded folks, you'll love opening day!