Saturday opener sets stage for trout extravaganza

More than 10,000 anglers are expected to attend the March 1 event at Missouri’s four trout parks.

JEFFERSON CITY-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 event marks the start of catch-and-keep season at Bennett Spring State Park (SP) near Lebanon, Montauk SP near Licking, Roaring River SP near Cassville and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. Attendance is a tradition for Missourians 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 Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River state parks. Maramec Spring Park is owned and operated by the James Foundation. The Missouri Department of Conservation operates hatcheries at all four parks and provides trout to stock their 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. This year’s starters include: --Ralph and Mary Mudd at Montauk SP. The Mudds stumbled into their first season opener in 1975 when returning from Branson to their home in Illinois and still return each year. Call (573) 548-2585 for more information. --Roger Pickard, of Lees Summit, at Bennett Spring SP. Pickard has been fishing there since the early 1960s. For more information about fishing there, call (417) 532-4418. --Former Assistant Park Superintendent Bill Ash, of Cassville, at Roaring River SP. For more information about fishing there call (417) 847-2430. The Cassville Chamber of Commerce will serve coffee on the banks of the stream before the starting signal and will sponsor a big-fish contest with women’s, men’s and youth divisions. --The St. James Chamber of Commerce will serve coffee and doughnuts to anglers and sponsor fishing contests at Maramec Spring Park. For more information about opening day there, call (573) 265-7801.

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.

New this year is the replacement of old log dams in Zone 1 of Roaring River SP with V-shaped low-water dams. These are designed so the current will create scour holes below the dams, enhancing trout habitat. Another low-water dam has been installed between the catch-and-release and artificial-bait areas.

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 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 qualify, you must catch an 18-inch or larger trout at one of the four trout parks 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.

-Jim Low-