Trout Opening at Bennett Spring State Park

Every year on March 1st, a horn echoes through the wooded valley of Bennett Spring State Park and hundreds of anglers step into the cold, spring-fed current at once. It is one of Missouri’s oldest and most beloved fishing traditions, and if you have never watched Opening Day unfold from the bank of a crystal-clear Ozark spring, you are missing something genuinely worth the early alarm.

Bennett Spring sits about 12 miles west of Lebanon along Highway 64A, and the park’s centerpiece is the spring branch itself — a quarter-mile run of cold, clear water flowing from one of Missouri’s most productive natural springs directly into the Niangua River. The state stocks the stream heavily with rainbow trout ahead of opening morning, and by the time the 6:30 a.m. horn sounds, anglers are lined shoulder-to-shoulder in the water, fly rods and spinning gear all working at once. It is organized chaos in the best possible way, and the energy along the bank in those first thirty minutes is unlike anything else in the Ozarks in early spring.

Opening Day draws serious trout fishers and complete beginners alike, which makes it one of the more welcoming spectacles in Missouri’s outdoor calendar. Families claim spots near the iconic Whistle Bridge early, kids in tow with small spinning rigs, while experienced fly anglers work the upper stretches before the crowds settle in. A daily trout tag ($3) and a valid Missouri fishing permit are required before you cast, so purchase both online through the Missouri Department of Conservation before you leave home — lines at the park store move slowly on opening morning.

The park’s trout store, dining lodge, and cabin facilities open for the season on March 1st as well, so you can warm up with a hot breakfast after your first few hours on the water. Trails wind through the valley above the spring branch and offer easy walking for non-fishing members of your group while anglers work the stream below.

For a full weekend, pair Opening Day with a stay near the Lake of the Ozarks, roughly 45 minutes east of the park. Rentals along the lake’s northern arms put you within easy reach of the park while giving you access to open water, boat launches, and quieter shoreline mornings before and after the event. Browse available properties on Lake.com to find something that fits your group size and schedule.