Winter Trout Fishing
Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-time fisher, you can find good winter fishing at one of Missouri's many trout lakes or four trout parks.
Regs, Permits and Gear
The trout parks and many of the trout lakes are catch-and-release only—this means you can’t take your catch home to eat. You must also use only artificial lures (no live bait). Beginning February 1, you can catch and keep the trout at the winter lakes, and use any bait or lure. The trout parks allow harvest beginning March 1. See the regulations page for full details.
Get a trout permit ($7, good for an entire year) and, if you’re aged 16 to 64, a fishing permit.
Don't worry about gear—a simple, inexpensive rod and reel and a few artificial lures will do.
Tips For Success
- Experiment and visit with other anglers who are having success.
- Trout often strike lightly, so keep your line tight and use light line—4-pound test or less—for the best results.
- Drift or very slowly retrieve a small jig or fly under a tiny bobber or strike indicator.
- Be ready to set your hook at the slightest twitch of the line.
Hone Your Skills at trout parks
The winter catch-and-release fishing season in Missouri's four trout parks is a good time for beginning fly fishers to learn how to catch trout on a fly.
- You can fish from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Montauk, Roaring River or Bennett Spring on Friday through Monday from the second Friday in November through the second Monday in February. Maramec Spring is open daily during this same period.
- Check our Calendar of Events for a fly-fishing workshop in your region. After grasping the basics, practice, practice, practice . . .
- A Winter Fishing Lesson, from the Missouri Conservationist, covers everything you need to know to start catching trout at Missouri's trout parks this winter.
