Bennett Spring State Park
Encyclopedia
Bennett Spring State Park is located approximately 12 miles west of Lebanon
, Missouri
on Highway 64. The park was established in 1923. It is centered around the spring that flows into the Niangua River
, that gives the park its name. The park offers fly fishing
, camping
, canoeing
, and hiking
among other activities.
and brown trout
in the natural spring that is the namesake of the park. Catch and keep fishing season is March 1 through October 31. Catch and release
season is the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only. Trout are stocked daily during the catch and keep season based on the fishing numbers from the previous year. The rainbow trout that are stocked can be found in all three fishing zones, few even make it to the Niangua River, where conditions are not very favorable to trout survival.
Fishing the spring stream is subject to fairly structured rules. All anglers, regardless of age must, must possess and display a daily trout tag. Fishing areas are divided into zones. Zone 1 is from the spring itself to the hatchery dam. Only artificial flies may be used in this area. The definition of a fly is spelled out as well and questions should be directed to the attendants where you purchase your daily tag. Zone 2 is from the Hatchery dam to the whistle bridge. In this area, in addition to artificial flies, other single hooked lures may be used. Finally Zone 3 from the whistle bridge to the Niangua River, only soft plastic bait (unscented), natural and scented bait are permitted. All flies and artificial lures are prohibited, even if natural bait or scent has been added.
Daily fishing begins the same every day. A whistle or siren is used to alert the anglers that it is time to fish. Fishing times vary by the season. The opening march of the angler can sometimes resemble a civil war styled battle line as the anglers progress into the water with rod in hand. The same siren is used to indicate the end of the fishing day. Daily trout tags for the following day can be purchased in the evening on the current day.
Lebanon, Missouri
Lebanon is a city in Laclede County, Missouri, United States. The estimated population in July 2009 was 14,292. The population was 12,155 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laclede County. The Lebanon Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Laclede County.-Geography:Lebanon is located at...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
on Highway 64. The park was established in 1923. It is centered around the spring that flows into the Niangua River
Niangua River
The Niangua River is a tributary of the Osage River in the Ozarks region of southern and central Missouri in the United States. Via the Osage and Missouri rivers it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.-Course:...
, that gives the park its name. The park offers fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
among other activities.
Trout Fishing
Bennett Spring State Park offers trout fishing for both rainbow troutRainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and brown trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
in the natural spring that is the namesake of the park. Catch and keep fishing season is March 1 through October 31. Catch and release
Catch and release
Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conservation. After capture, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water before experiencing serious exhaustion or injury...
season is the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only. Trout are stocked daily during the catch and keep season based on the fishing numbers from the previous year. The rainbow trout that are stocked can be found in all three fishing zones, few even make it to the Niangua River, where conditions are not very favorable to trout survival.
Fishing the spring stream is subject to fairly structured rules. All anglers, regardless of age must, must possess and display a daily trout tag. Fishing areas are divided into zones. Zone 1 is from the spring itself to the hatchery dam. Only artificial flies may be used in this area. The definition of a fly is spelled out as well and questions should be directed to the attendants where you purchase your daily tag. Zone 2 is from the Hatchery dam to the whistle bridge. In this area, in addition to artificial flies, other single hooked lures may be used. Finally Zone 3 from the whistle bridge to the Niangua River, only soft plastic bait (unscented), natural and scented bait are permitted. All flies and artificial lures are prohibited, even if natural bait or scent has been added.
Daily fishing begins the same every day. A whistle or siren is used to alert the anglers that it is time to fish. Fishing times vary by the season. The opening march of the angler can sometimes resemble a civil war styled battle line as the anglers progress into the water with rod in hand. The same siren is used to indicate the end of the fishing day. Daily trout tags for the following day can be purchased in the evening on the current day.