Driving directions: Montauk Fish Hatchery/Trout Park is inside Montauk State Park, southeast of Licking. From Highway 137 turn east on Route VV and go 10 miles to Highway 119. Turn right on Highway 119 and watch for signs.
Annual Prospects Report
The Montauk State Park 2024 trout season will provide good fishing opportunities with the daily stockings of rainbow trout from March 1st through October 31st.
There are three fishing zones at Montauk State Park. The flies only zone is from the Mill Dam upstream to Montauk Springs. Only flies are permitted in this zone. The artificial and natural bait zone includes all the spring branch below the CCC Spillway and from the Mill Pool Dam downstream to the lower park boundary. All artificial and natural baits are permitted in this zone. The catch and release zone includes Montauk Lake and its overflow area, and the short section of the spring branch above the CCC Spillway upstream to the hatchery raceways. Only flies are permitted in this zone and no possession of fish is allowed in this area. The daily limit at Montauk is 4 trout with a fifteen-inch length limit on brown trout. The statewide possession limit is 8 trout.
Montauk State Park host special fishing events that provide anglers the opportunity to experience trout fishing. Kids Free Fishing Day will be held on Saturday, May 4th. This is a great opportunity for kids to come out and spend the day fishing at Montauk. All children aged 15 and under fish for free. There will be a special kid’s only fishing area from the CCC Spillway downstream to the Social Hole. This area will be marked with signs and will be patrolled to make sure that children are the only anglers fishing in that area. Children need to observe the zone regulations, length limits for brown trout, and daily limits. There will be volunteers to assist the kids and other activities for the children.
Other fishing events at Montauk State Park include Statewide Free Fishing Days on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th. On these two days, no daily tag or fishing license is required to fish in the park. The Summer’s End Kids Free Fishing Day is on Saturday, August 10th, and Veteran's Fishing Day is on Saturday, September 7th. Contact Montauk Hatchery at 573-548-2585 for more information about these events.
Anglers can catch and release trout during the winter fishing season. Montauk State Park is always open for catch-and-release fishing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from the second Friday in November through the second Monday in February. During the catch-and-release season, only flies may be used, and all fish must be released unharmed immediately. Fishing is only allowed upstream from the old low water bridge just below the ADA fishing pier in loop 3 of the campground.
Montauk State Park is located in Dent County, 22 miles southwest of Salem MO and 22 miles southeast of Licking MO. From Salem, take Highway 32 west, 11 miles to Highway 119. Take Highway 119 south, 11 miles to Montauk State Park. From Licking MO, take Highway 32 east, 11 miles to Highway 119. Take Highway 119 south, 11 miles to Montauk State Park.
