Opening Day next Thursday
February 21, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones
It’s that time of year again. Next Thursday, March 1, marks the opener of trout season across the state. Anglers from near and far will pour into Roaring River State Park to try their hands, well rods, at catching their limit for the first day of catch-and-keep trout season.
This year, Roaring River State Park’s Hatchery is stocking the waters with 6,000 trout, estimating that this year will bring in 1,800 anglers requesting trout tags. The hatchery’s goal is to stock three trout per angler on Opening Day. The hatchery is also stocking 50 lunkers as well. Lunkers are at least three pounds and over 18 inches.
Hatchery manager Paul Spurgeon said they anticipate a good turnout on Thursday. He stated, “Thursday is a little better because it’s closer to the end of the week. But it depends on the weather.”
Hatchery staff will begin stocking fish a little later this year than normal. Spurgeon shared, “We are waiting to stock until next week because of the rain coming in, just in case of a flood. I don’t think it’s going to flood, but I would rather put the fish in a little later and be safe. We will probably start stocking Monday or Tuesday next week.”
This year, the honor to shoot the opening shot, signaling when the first lines can be cast, was given to Charlie Stock. Stock is with Midwest Flies and also volunteers teaching fly tying each year at Kids’ Fishing Day.
Spurgeon said, “He’s been really big with our youth for a number of years teaching fly tying. He loves teaching, so we asked him to do it.”
Spurgeon added, “We are also supposed to have the Director of the Conservation Department and State Auditor in attendance this year.”
The only change to this year’s fishing at Roaring River is regarding Zone Three at the park. Spurgeon said, “Zone three is pretty much going to be closed. Because of the flood damage that hasn’t been repaired yet, so that will be closed. We’re encouraging people not to go in there.” Zone three is located at the end of Campground Three.
The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will also be on site on Thursday morning, handing out free mugs of coffee to the first 870 visitors to the tent beginning at 5 a.m. until fishing begins at 6:30 a.m.
The Chamber of Commerce is also handing out prizes to individuals with the largest trout caught in the men, women and youth (12 and under) divisions. Prizes for the largest trout caught are $50 Cassville Cash. To enter the competition, anglers need to take their fish to the Chamber weigh-in station in front of the CCC Lodge. Awards will be presented at noon, and you must be present to win.
Trout tags will be sold beginning Wednesday, February 28, at 9 a.m. and will continue all night until the next day. Trout tags are available at the Roaring River Park Store.
Standard trout fishing rules still apply. Trout season will begin on Thursday, March 1, at 6:30 a.m. when the opening shot is fired. Those wanting to fish must have a valid Missouri fishing license, if applicable, and a daily trout tag, which is $3. Fishing permits are available online at: http://mdc.mo.gov/buypermits and their mobile app called MO Hunting and MO Fishing.
Catch and keep trout season in Missouri runs from March 1 through October 31. The daily limit per trout tag is four of all species of trout combined.
Trout fishing is not just a big draw to tourism in the Cassville area, but to the state as a whole. The Missouri Department of Conservation released data stating that the four parks in Missouri, Roaring River, Bennett Springs, Montauk and Meramec Spring, will be stocked with more than 800,000 trout this year, bringing in anglers who spend more than $100 million each year, generating over $180 million in business activity.
Charlea Estes-Jones
It’s that time of year again. Next Thursday, March 1, marks the opener of trout season across the state. Anglers from near and far will pour into Roaring River State Park to try their hands, well rods, at catching their limit for the first day of catch-and-keep trout season.
This year, Roaring River State Park’s Hatchery is stocking the waters with 6,000 trout, estimating that this year will bring in 1,800 anglers requesting trout tags. The hatchery’s goal is to stock three trout per angler on Opening Day. The hatchery is also stocking 50 lunkers as well. Lunkers are at least three pounds and over 18 inches.
Hatchery manager Paul Spurgeon said they anticipate a good turnout on Thursday. He stated, “Thursday is a little better because it’s closer to the end of the week. But it depends on the weather.”
Hatchery staff will begin stocking fish a little later this year than normal. Spurgeon shared, “We are waiting to stock until next week because of the rain coming in, just in case of a flood. I don’t think it’s going to flood, but I would rather put the fish in a little later and be safe. We will probably start stocking Monday or Tuesday next week.”
This year, the honor to shoot the opening shot, signaling when the first lines can be cast, was given to Charlie Stock. Stock is with Midwest Flies and also volunteers teaching fly tying each year at Kids’ Fishing Day.
Spurgeon said, “He’s been really big with our youth for a number of years teaching fly tying. He loves teaching, so we asked him to do it.”
Spurgeon added, “We are also supposed to have the Director of the Conservation Department and State Auditor in attendance this year.”
The only change to this year’s fishing at Roaring River is regarding Zone Three at the park. Spurgeon said, “Zone three is pretty much going to be closed. Because of the flood damage that hasn’t been repaired yet, so that will be closed. We’re encouraging people not to go in there.” Zone three is located at the end of Campground Three.
The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will also be on site on Thursday morning, handing out free mugs of coffee to the first 870 visitors to the tent beginning at 5 a.m. until fishing begins at 6:30 a.m.
The Chamber of Commerce is also handing out prizes to individuals with the largest trout caught in the men, women and youth (12 and under) divisions. Prizes for the largest trout caught are $50 Cassville Cash. To enter the competition, anglers need to take their fish to the Chamber weigh-in station in front of the CCC Lodge. Awards will be presented at noon, and you must be present to win.
Trout tags will be sold beginning Wednesday, February 28, at 9 a.m. and will continue all night until the next day. Trout tags are available at the Roaring River Park Store.
Standard trout fishing rules still apply. Trout season will begin on Thursday, March 1, at 6:30 a.m. when the opening shot is fired. Those wanting to fish must have a valid Missouri fishing license, if applicable, and a daily trout tag, which is $3. Fishing permits are available online at: http://mdc.mo.gov/buypermits and their mobile app called MO Hunting and MO Fishing.
Catch and keep trout season in Missouri runs from March 1 through October 31. The daily limit per trout tag is four of all species of trout combined.
Trout fishing is not just a big draw to tourism in the Cassville area, but to the state as a whole. The Missouri Department of Conservation released data stating that the four parks in Missouri, Roaring River, Bennett Springs, Montauk and Meramec Spring, will be stocked with more than 800,000 trout this year, bringing in anglers who spend more than $100 million each year, generating over $180 million in business activity.