Trout Fishing in Missouri

Trout Navigation

Disabled-accessible fishing docks are available on Lake Taneycomo above Powersite Dam and at Cooper Creek accesses.
Open year-round.
Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species above the mouth of Fall Creek.
A Missouri fishing permit is required. A trout permit also is required:
- if harvesting trout below the U.S. Highway 65 bridge
- for any fishing above the U.S. Highway 65 bridge.

Map:
Lake Taneycomo, (417) 334-4865.

Three trout parks are located at state parks owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park.
Heavily stocked and heavily fished
Located at hatcheries, they are stocked daily with rainbow trout from March 1 through Oct. 31. Most rainbows stocked are 10 to 12 inches.
Regulations vary in the four parks. Certain areas may be designated for fly fishing, natural baits, artificial lures, or catch-and-release fishing. Ask for details when buying your daily trout tag at the park, or contact the Conservation Department.
Missouri fishing permit and daily trout tag are required.
Disabled accessible fishing sites are available at the four trout parks.

Map:

Bennett Spring Map (417) 532-4418
Maramec Spring Map (573) 265-7801
Montauk Map (573) 548-2585
Roaring River Map (417) 847-2430
Conservation Department (573) 751-4115
Fisheries Division: Trout Parks
P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Range from small creeks to large rivers
Less crowded than trout parks and winter trout areas
Small streams are not stocked, but depend on self-sustaining populations of rainbow trout.
North Fork of the White, Eleven Point and Current rivers are stocked periodically.
Only artificial lures and flies may be used. Natural, soft plastic and scented baits are prohibited.
The daily limit is one trout of 18 inches or greater length.
A Missouri fishing permit is required, and a trout permit also is required if trout are harvested.

Map:

Less crowded than trout parks and winter trout areas
Stocked less intensively than white ribbon trout areas. Browns are stocked once a year. Rainbows are either stocked, escape from other areas or reproduce.
Special regulations may include length limits, reduced creel limits, and tackle restrictions. See regulations page.
A Missouri fishing permit is required, and a trout permit also is required if trout are harvested.

Map:

Less crowded than trout parks and winter trout areas
Stocked less intensively than trout parks
Fishing is permitted year ’round.
The daily limit is four trout with no length limit on rainbows. Brown trout must be 15 inches or greater. Further seasonal restrictions may apply. See regulations page.
A Missouri fishing permit is required, and a trout permit also is required if trout are harvested.

Map:

The daily limit is four trout with no length limit, except for Koeneman Park, Walker, Jefferson, Wild Acres, Busch 21 and 28 and Tilles lakes in the St. Louis Region; Rotary Lake in Jackson; Cosmo-Bethel Lake in Columbia; Liberty Park Pond in Sedalia; McKay Park Lake in Jefferson City; Spur Pond in Kirksville; Kiwanis Lake in Mexico; Everyday Pond on the Missouri Western State University Campus in St. Joseph, where catch-and-release with artificial flies and lures is the only legal method for most of the season. See regulations page.
A Missouri fishing permit is required, and a trout permit also is required if trout are harvested.

Map:

Kansas City Trout Lakes (816) 655-6250
Coot and Plover Lakes (816) 655-6250
St. Louis Winter Trout Lakes (636) 301-1500
Columbia, Cosmo-Bethel Lake (573) 884-6861
Jackson, Rotary Lake (573) 290-5730
Jefferson City, McKay Park Lake (573) 884-6861
Kirksville, Spur Pond (660) 785-2420
Mexico, Kiwanis Lake (573) 884-6861
St. Joseph, Everyday Pond on the Missouri Western State University Campus (816) 271-3100
Sedalia, Liberty Park Pond (660) 530-5500