As winter winds down, anglers begin to show signs of trout fever.
Symptoms include tying flies, putting new fishing line on reels, checking waders for holes and practicing casting. Most anglers who get trout fever get rid of it by visiting one of Missouri's four trout parks to participate in the catch-and-keep trout season.
March 1 is opening day of catch-and-keep trout fishing at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The catch-and-keep season at the trout parks runs through Oct. 31.
The Missouri Department of Conservation operates trout hatcheries at all four parks. To help predict angler turnout on opening day, hatchery staff rely on permit records going back more than 80 years. Montauk, Bennett Spring and Roaring River hatchery staff expect crowds of about 2,000 anglers at each location. Maramec Spring staff are planning for a crowd of about 1,000.
Based on these predictions, hatchery staff will stock three trout per expected angler on opening day for a total of more than 21,000 fish averaging around 12 inches long. The hatcheries will also stock a mix of "lunkers" ranging from three to 10 pounds.
"We have plenty of fish for this year's trout season," said Brian Canaday, the department's fisheries chief.
Trout anglers will need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri's trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. Missouri residents 16 through 64 need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag. Nonresidents 16 and older also need a fishing permit.
Sports on 02/20/2018