Park OKs trout fishing
Roaring River State Park near Seligman, Mo., is open for catch and release trout fishing through mid-February.
Fishing is allowed Friday through Monday from 8 a.m., to 4 p.m., through the second Monday in February Only flies may be used. Marabou jigs are considered flies under park regulations. All trout must be released immediately.
A Missouri fishing license and annual trout permit are required. The park is located nine miles northeast of Seligman.
Hikers set outing
Hill ‘N Dale Hiking Club will hike at White Rock Mountain on Wednesday. The hike is three miles, rated easy.
All hikers are welcome. Meet at 8 a.m., at the Bella Vista Harps upper parking lot for car pooling. Bring a sack lunch. More hiking is available after lunch.
The group will hike Dec. 6 at Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Springs. The hike is 3.5 miles on Miner’s Rock Trail, rated easy to moderate.
For that hike, meet at 8:30 a.m., at the Bella Vista Harps upper parking lot for carpooling.
To register, for either hike, contact trip leader George Riggin, [email protected] or 913-669-4967.
Program highlights owls
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will meet at 2 p.m., Saturday at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area east of Rogers.
Officers will be elected.
Mitchell Pruitt will present the program, “Saw-whet Owls in Northwest Arkansas.” All are welcome. Audubon membership is not required.
Trout Unlimited to meet
The Arkansas chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet Monday at Whole Hog Cafe at Fiesta Square in Fayetteville. Dinner and social time is at 6 p.m. The program is at 7 p.m.
Michael McLellan with McLellan’s Fly Shop will give the program about Christmas gift ideas for fly fishermen.
Anyone interested in fishing and conservation is welcome.
Hunts close trails
Most trails at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will be closed Saturday through Dec. 7 for the park’s limited permit modern gun deer season and closed Jan. 7-11 for the park’s muzzle-loader deer season.
The shooting range and back country campsites will also be closed. Back country camp sites close one day before each season.
The Historic Van Winkle Hollow Trail and Ozark Plateau Trail will be open.
Hobbs, located east of Rogers, is Arkansas’ largest state park and the only Arkansas state park that allows hunting.
Eagle cruises set
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area has added some weekday eagle watch cruises to its schedule for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
In addition to Saturday and Sunday cruises in December, cruises are set for Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-31. Cruises will take place Jan. 1-2 as well as Saturdays and Sundays the rest of January.
Cruises take place on weekends through February.
Trips leave from Rocky Branch Marina at 3 p.m. Cost is $10 plus tax for adults and $5 for children 6-12. Reservations are required. Call the visitor center, 479-789-5000 for reservations.