02-29-2008, 05:10 PM
Saturday is the opening day of Missouri's trout park season.
It's when long-suffering, trout-fishing souls, deprived these many months of their finny fix, once again will be able to catch and keep fish at one of Missouri's four popular trout parks: Bennett Springs, near Lebanon; Montauk, near Licking; Roaring River, near Cassville; and Meramec, near St. James.
These folks will arrive in droves to apply the ancient art of angling to the hordes of trout sure to be lurking within the cold, rushing waters of the four spring branches.
The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates 10,000 anglers Saturday, a number that could grow if fair weather prevails across much of the state.
To ensure that anglers get off to a good start, the MDC will stock three fish for each angler expected at each trout park on opening day. In addition, another 50 to a few hundred larger fish, known as lunkers and which weigh three pounds or more, also will be stocked at each park.
Catching a lunker is a real thrill, one that not every angler is fortunate enough to experience. The MDC has recently improved the "I Released a Lunker Program," adding that anglers who catch and release one of these big trout can get a recognition patch to commemorate the achievement.
To qualify, any angler catching an 18-inch or larger trout at one of the four trout parks between March 1 and Oct. 31 must immediately release the fish in good condition. One witness must verify the catch and release. Applications are available at park hatchery offices.
To recognize anglers who catch and release a lunker at all four trout parks, MDC has a Grand Slam Patch around which the other four patches can be sewn or displayed.
Fishing at Missouri's trout parks requires the purchase of a daily tag, available at park concessionaires. Anglers age 16 and older also will need a valid Missouri fishing permit. Missouri's 2007 fishing permits expire today. Anglers 65 and older are exempt from buying a fishing permit.
Missouri's trout park daily limit is four. A 15-inch minimum length limit on brown trout is in effect, but rainbows of any size are legal to keep. Be sure to review trout regulations at each park before fishing.
For more information, contact the Missouri DNR at 1-800-334-6946 or 1-800-379-2419, or visit www.mostateparks.com.
It's when long-suffering, trout-fishing souls, deprived these many months of their finny fix, once again will be able to catch and keep fish at one of Missouri's four popular trout parks: Bennett Springs, near Lebanon; Montauk, near Licking; Roaring River, near Cassville; and Meramec, near St. James.
These folks will arrive in droves to apply the ancient art of angling to the hordes of trout sure to be lurking within the cold, rushing waters of the four spring branches.
The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates 10,000 anglers Saturday, a number that could grow if fair weather prevails across much of the state.
To ensure that anglers get off to a good start, the MDC will stock three fish for each angler expected at each trout park on opening day. In addition, another 50 to a few hundred larger fish, known as lunkers and which weigh three pounds or more, also will be stocked at each park.
Catching a lunker is a real thrill, one that not every angler is fortunate enough to experience. The MDC has recently improved the "I Released a Lunker Program," adding that anglers who catch and release one of these big trout can get a recognition patch to commemorate the achievement.
To qualify, any angler catching an 18-inch or larger trout at one of the four trout parks between March 1 and Oct. 31 must immediately release the fish in good condition. One witness must verify the catch and release. Applications are available at park hatchery offices.
To recognize anglers who catch and release a lunker at all four trout parks, MDC has a Grand Slam Patch around which the other four patches can be sewn or displayed.
Fishing at Missouri's trout parks requires the purchase of a daily tag, available at park concessionaires. Anglers age 16 and older also will need a valid Missouri fishing permit. Missouri's 2007 fishing permits expire today. Anglers 65 and older are exempt from buying a fishing permit.
Missouri's trout park daily limit is four. A 15-inch minimum length limit on brown trout is in effect, but rainbows of any size are legal to keep. Be sure to review trout regulations at each park before fishing.
For more information, contact the Missouri DNR at 1-800-334-6946 or 1-800-379-2419, or visit www.mostateparks.com.