Roaring River State Park

The short version

Roaring River is a spring-fed trout stream in a deep, wooded hollow in the far southwest corner of Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation has raised trout at the hatchery here since 1910, and the park has been a state park since 1928. On opening day of 2026 it sold more daily tags than any of the four trout parks.

From March 1 to Oct. 31, a $5 daily tag (and a fishing permit, if you need one) lets you keep up to four trout a day. From Branson it's an easy day trip, about an hour west.

What your family needs

Daily tags and fishing permits can be bought at the park. Bring cash for the tags if you can.

Zones

Roaring River is split into three zones with different rules on lures and bait, and part of the park is catch-and-release only even during the summer season. The park hands out the zone map with your tag. One rule that's handy for anglers who already hold an annual trout permit: from the first bridge below the old dam in Zone 3 down to the park boundary, either a daily tag or a trout permit works.

Only one pole per person is allowed in the park, and food can't be used to attract fish except on a hook.

Kids Fishing Days

Roaring River held two Kids Fishing Days in 2026, on May 16 and Aug. 15, free for kids 15 and younger. MDC posts the next year's dates in its annual prospects report each spring.

Getting there

The park is at 12716 Farm RoadMapCopy 2239, Cassville, MO, 7 miles south of Cassville on Highway 112. The park office is 417-847-2539 and the hatchery is 417-847-2430.