Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2008

Department of Agriculture Reminds Anglers about Missouri’s Private Trout Fishing Areas

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Many Missouri anglers will head to state parks for the opening day of trout season this Saturday. The Missouri Department of Agriculture reminds anglers they can also visit one of the state’s privately-owned trout fishing areas.

“Our state is a great place for fishing and Missouri trout parks are part of our great tradition of hunting, fishing and conservation,” Gov. Matt Blunt said. “I am very much looking forward to joining Missourians for trout fishing at Bennett Springs on opening day. Bennett Springs is one of our state’s great public parks and we also have many private areas for trout fishing in our state.”

Missouri is home to the following private trout fishing areas:

• Crystal Springs Trout Farm, Cassville, (417) 847-2174
• Rainbow Run Trout Park, Highlandville, (417) 443-3400, www.rainbowrun.net
• Rainbow Trout Ranch, Rockbridge, (417) 679-3619, www.rockbridgemo.com
• Spring Valley Trout Ranch, Thornfield, (417) 265-3699
• Westover Farms, Steelville, (573) 743-6284, www.westoverfarms.com
• Troutdale Farm, Gravois Mills, (573) 372-1900, www.troutdalefarm.com
• Wind Rush Farms, Cook Station, (573) 743-6555, www.windrushfarms.com
• Warnol Valley Lakes Fish Farm, Dixon, (573) 759-2907 or (573) 759-2757
• Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Lampe, (417) 779-5983, www.dogwoodcanyon.org

“The private trout fishing getaways are different from state fishing parks in several aspects,” said Bart Hawcroft, aquaculture business specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “No state license is required to fish at these areas. In addition, since anglers pay for their catch by the pound, a limit is not placed on the number of fish caught.”

Most private fishing areas will clean and ice catch for a small fee. Some locations also offer amenities such as restaurants, lodging, hiking trails and the use of fishing gear, bait and tackle. Reservations may be required at some fishing areas.

To learn more about Missouri’s private fishing areas, visit www.mda.mo.gov or contact Bart Hawcroft at (573) 526-6666 or via e-mail at Bart.Hawcroft@mda.mo.gov.

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