Ozarks (Rural)
Don't assume current trout rules from an old Bennett Spring trip
Trout-park fishing has its own tags, seasons, and daily limits that the Department of Conservation sets and adjusts, so visitors who rely on memory or old info can get the rules wrong.
Fishing at Bennett Spring works differently than fishing a regular Missouri lake or stream. At the trout park, you need a daily trout tag on top of a fishing permit. The Missouri Department of Conservation sets the rules, and they include a daily limit, set fishing methods, and different zones along the stream.
The catch-and-keep season runs from March 1 through October 31. Opening day on March 1 draws a crowd and feels like a regional event. In winter, a catch-and-release season takes over with shorter days and fly-only rules.
These details can change from year to year. So don’t trust a friend’s old trip or an out-of-date brochure. Check MDC’s current Bennett Spring rules before you go, and ask for the latest details when you buy your tag at the park.
References
Where this fits: this note belongs to Laclede County. See every local note for the county on its page.