The MOKAN Chapter is blessed with incredible fishing opportunities just a few hours away and getting active with the MOKAN is one of the best ways to meet passionate anglers eager to share their knowledge on where to go, how to improve your skills and what to use to find success fishing the rivers and streams we work together to restore.
Where to Fish:
- Missouri State Trout Parks – Bennett, Roaring River, and Montauk are parks managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). They are stocked throughout the week with fresh trout. While Maramec is also stocked with trout, it is privately owned and not managed by the MDC. All 4 parks require a valid, Missouri fishing license, as well as a daily trout tag that can be purchased at the park store. For details about directions and fishing regulations at these parks, please follow the links.
- Bennett Spring State Park (Lebanon, MO) – http://bennettspringstatepark.org
- Maramec Spring Park (St James, MO) – http://maramecspringpark.com
- Montauk State Park (Salem, MO) – https://mostateparks.com/page/54229/fishing
- Roaring River State Park (Cassville, MO) – http://roaringriverstatepark.org
- Lake Taneycomo (Branson, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/lake-taneycomo
- Lake Taneycomo is a tailwater fishery located downstream from Table Rock Dam. It is stocked annually with approximately 575,000 trout. Anglers will be able to catch Rainbow and Brown trout, with a chance to reel in a new state record. Missouri’s record brown trout was caught in 2019 at Lake Taneycomo, and came in at 40 pounds, 6 oz.
- Blue Ribbon Waters – there are 9 blue ribbon waters that can be found in the state. Catch a trout in all nine, and you will have completed the Missouri Blue Ribbon Trout Slam, helped created by MOKAN member, Kyle Pokorny. Find more details about how to participate in the slam at https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/trophies-certificates/blue-ribbon-trout-slam
- Barren Fork Creek (Shannon County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/special-waterbody-regulations/barren-fork-creek
- Blue Springs Creek (Bourbon, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/blue-springs-creek
- Crane Creek (Stone County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/crane-creek
- Current River (Dent and Shannon County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/current-river-upper
- Eleven Point River (Oregon County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/eleven-point-river
- Little Piney Creek (Phelps County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/little-piney-creek-blue-ribbon-trout-management-area
- Mill Creek (Phelps County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/mill-creek-blue-ribbon-trout-management-area
- North Fork of the White River (Wright County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/special-waterbody-regulations/north-fork-white-river
- Spring Creek (Phelps County, MO) – https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fishing-prospects/areas/spring-creek-blue-ribbon-trout-management-area
- Kansas City Metro Stocked Lakes – during the winter season the MDC and Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks work with the Missouri state hatcheries to stock our local lakes. On the Kansas side, you will be able to find trout at Shawnee Mission Lake and Kill Creek Lake. Missouri has some more options with fish being stocked at Cleveland Lake (Belton), Chaumiere Lake (North KC), Capital Federal Sports Complex (Liberty), Jesse James Lake (Kearney), Johnston Lake (Raymore), and 3 lakes at James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, one of which being youth only. These are Coot, Plover, and Honker (youth only).
Area Fly Chart
To increase your chances at landing your next fish in one of the waters above, it’s always best to “match the hatch”. Below you will find a chart explaining what bugs are hatching, when, and a hook size suggestion that fits the season.
