The short version
Bennett Spring is a state park built around a trout stream. The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks it from a hatchery on site, and from March 1 to Oct. 31 anyone with a $5 daily tag (and a fishing permit, if they need one) can keep up to four trout a day.
If you have never fished, this is about as easy a place to start as Missouri has. The fish are stocked, the rules are posted, and the park store sells tags.
What your family needs
| Who | Catch-and-keep (March 1 to Oct. 31) | Winter catch-and-release |
|---|---|---|
| Kids 15 and under | $3 daily tag | Youth trout permit |
| Missouri residents 16 to 64 | $5 daily tag plus a fishing permit | Fishing permit plus annual trout permit |
| Missouri residents 65 and older | $5 daily tag | Annual trout permit |
| Nonresidents 16 and older | $5 daily tag plus a fishing permit | Fishing permit plus annual trout permit |
A daily Missouri fishing permit is $9. You can buy one ahead of time online or in the MO Fishing app, which saves a line at the store. Daily trout tags are sold only at the park, so bring cash.
The three zones
The stream is split into zones, and each one has its own rules about what you can put on the hook during catch-and-keep season.
| Zone | Where | Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | The spring down to the hatchery dam | Flies, with or without spinners |
| Zone 2 | Hatchery dam to the whistle bridge | Flies and artificial lures |
| Zone 3 | Whistle bridge to the Niangua River | Unscented soft plastic bait, natural bait and scented bait (no flies or artificial lures) |
Zone 3 is the one most families with young kids end up in, since it's the zone where bait is allowed. Ask for the zone map when you buy your tag. Only one pole per person is allowed anywhere in the park.
Fishing hours by month
Hours change through the season and are posted at the park. These are the 2026 hours from Missouri State Parks.
| Month | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| March | 6:30 a.m. CST / 7:30 a.m. CDT | 6 p.m. CST / 7 p.m. CDT |
| April | 7 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| May | 6:30 a.m. | 8:15 p.m. |
| June | 6:30 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. |
| July | 6:30 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. | 8 p.m. |
| September | 7:30 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| October | 7:30 a.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
Accessible fishing
The park has three accessible fishing piers along the stream.
Free Fishing Days
Missouri's Free Fishing Days fall on the Saturday and Sunday after the first Monday in June. On those two days nobody needs a fishing permit, trout permit or daily tag, including at Bennett Spring. The daily limit still applies, and it's one of the busiest weekends of the year at the park.
Getting there
The park is at 26250 Hwy 64A, Lebanon, MO, about 12 miles west of Lebanon on Highway 64. The park office is 417-532-4338 and the park store is 417-532-4307. From the Lake of the Ozarks area, it makes a good day trip.
Questions
What does the flow number at the top of this page mean?
It's how much water is moving down the spring branch right now, in cubic feet per second, from the USGS gauge in the park. We compare it with the typical flow for today's date so you can see if the stream is running higher or lower than usual. After heavy rain the stream can run high and muddy.
Questions
Is Bennett Spring open for fishing in winter?
Yes, for catch-and-release only. From the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February, fishing is open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST, with flies only. You need a fishing permit and an annual trout permit.
How much is a trout tag at Bennett Spring?
$5 for anglers 16 and older and $3 for anglers 15 and younger. Tags are sold only at the park.
Do kids need a fishing license at Bennett Spring?
Kids 15 and younger don't need a fishing permit. They still need the $3 youth daily tag during catch-and-keep season.
Can you visit the Bennett Spring hatchery?
Not in 2026. The hatchery is under renovation and closed to the public while construction goes on.
Sources
- Missouri State Parks: Fishing at Bennett Spring, checked Nov 10, 2026
- Missouri State Parks: Bennett Spring State Park, checked Nov 10, 2026
- MDC: Trout Parks season, checked Nov 10, 2026
- MDC: Free Fishing Days, checked Nov 10, 2026
- Missouri Wildlife Code, 3 CSR 10-12.150, checked Nov 10, 2026
- USGS 06923500, Bennett Spring at Bennett Springs, MO, checked Nov 10, 2026
Something out of date? Please let us know and we'll recheck it.
