Winter trout fishing a ball

A trout angler enjoys the solitude that the winter trout fishing at Roaring River offers.

Hardy trout anglers are having a ball winter fishing our Missouri trout parks. Bill Weaver, Kansas City, said, "I had never fished at Bennett Springs in winter before a few years ago. Now I am hooked on it. I have hooked and released lots of rainbows in January and didn't have to fight crowds of other anglers, like I do in March. One day, I counted 23 trout I hooked and released, including several lunkers. I use barbless hooks on my flies, so releasing the fish is easy and safer for the survival of the trout. Whenever the weather permits, I make several trips to either Bennett Springs or Roaring River during the winter months and have always caught fish."

Winter fishing catch and release trout at the parks an angler will need a fishing permit as well as a trout permit. Missouri residents who are 15 years old and under and those 65 or older do not need a fishing permit. Hours to fish are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays only. The season that opened on Nov. 11 will run through Feb. 13. Only flies are permitted.

Weaver said, "After all the cold and ice we experienced recently, fishing should pick up. A warming trend tends to cause the trout to go on a feeding mood, making fishing very good in the trout parks. I plan on hitting the stream at Bennett soon. I have found that a brown fly works for me and I use a tippet on two pound test line. I know of several anglers who use clear nylon sewing machine thread, especially in clear water. The water is usually very clear during the winter at the parks streams. Winter trout fishing is a good way to treat cabin fever."

A lone angler tests the winter trout fishing at Bennett Springs.

Another fan of winter fishing in the trout parks is Fred Hastings, who said, "I have been fishing in the winter ever since I retired several years ago. Not only just for trout, but also I do a lot of crappie fishing in the cold weather, usually with good results. There is something special about winter visits to Bennett Springs and Roaring River. Not only can you catch trout without being shoulder to shoulder like on opening day, you may only see a few other anglers, It's a great time to be a wildlife watcher. I always have my camera along when I visit the parks in the winter. I've shot photos of otters, deer, turkey and bald eagles while on a winter fishing trips. Sometimes, I don't even take fishing gear, just my camera and warm clothes. Wildlife watching is a plus. Winter fishing is a good way to practice your fly casting skills until March 1 when the catch and keep season opens."

At Roaring River, Campground No. 1 remains open all winter. You may purchase your fishing permit as well as trout permit at the hatchery office. The park lodge, restaurant and store are closed. At Bennett Spring, one campground remains open. The store is open on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.

If you don't get enough trout fishing until spring, there are places across the state where trout are stocked. To find out about where these winter fishing locations are and regulations check the MDC website.

Of course, there is always Lake Taneycomo to trout fish any time of the year. Some of the largest rainbow and brown trout are caught at Taneycomo in winter months.