Timeless Fly-Fishing Adventures at Bennett Spring State Park
Bennett Spring State Park in Missouri probably doesn’t come to mind when you think of epic trout adventures. But if you are from the Midwest, it’s likely been a destination you’ve visited at least once, as a kid, or with your dad or grandpa.
Bennett Spring has become a staple in our trout destination for us Whistlers, as we all caught our first trout on the fly in these waters. As this park is only a short three hour drive from Kansas City, we find it's easy to get out there for a short day trip, or an overnight trip. Here’s a bit more about why we love this destination for fly-fishing in the Ozarks.
Bennett Spring - A Brief Overview
If you’ve not heard, Bennett Spring State Park in MO is nestled in the heart of Missouri, Bennett Spring State Park is renowned for stocked trout fishing, the park boasts a tranquil ambiance along the spring-fed Bennett Spring Branch of the Niangua River. Anglers of all skill levels can cast their lines into the crystal-clear waters teeming with rainbow and brown trout, creating unforgettable fishing experiences.
Beyond fishing, visitors can explore over 12 miles of hiking trails winding through picturesque woodlands and along scenic streams, providing glimpses of native wildlife and diverse flora. This park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
100 Years of Legacy: Celebrating a Century at Bennett Spring State Park
Bennett Spring State Park is celebrating its centennial anniversary, this park offers an array of activities to suit every adventurer's taste. Here’s our shameless plug for our new POSTER that Kevin created to celebrate the legacy of fishing we’ve all enjoyed!
Anniversary Poster
Capture the essence with our exclusive Bennett Spring State Park commemmorative poster!
As Bennett Spring State Park marks a century of conservation and recreation, visitors are invited to join in the festivities and pay homage to its storied past while creating lasting memories amidst its natural splendor.
Fishing Report: Late April 2024 Fishing at Bennett Spring
Last weekend, Kevin and I embarked on an annual trip with about a dozen guys we’ve been fishing with for over ten years. We’ve explored many destinations on these retreats, and this year, we decided we should explore some new waters. Our destination was near Ft. Leonard Wood, mid-way between Rolla and Lebanon, MO. This put us within striking distance of several Blue Ribbon trout fisheries, including Montauk State Park.
The first leg of the trip began at Bennett Spring State Park, for some of us, as we wanted to give ourselves the best chance at catching some fish before we engaged in the challenging scenarios the small spring fed creeks on the Missouri Trout Slam schedule present.
Fishing At Bennett Spring Somewhat Productive
The morning fared a bit slow, only catching a couple fish at the spring on scuds, a pink San Juan worm, and a big fat chartreuse wooly worm. Dad chose to use this fly, because nothing else was working for him, and - WHY NOT!? And wouldn’t you know, a couple casts in he hooked up on a decent rainbow trout.
A selection of flies used for the weekend, most of these catching fish. Crackleback, Scud, Pheasant Tail, Beetle, Pat’s Rubber Leg, and San Juan Worm.
Mid-day is always a bit slower on clear days in trout water, but I found some actively feeding fish in ripples below the park’s main bridge. Here I used nymphs and scuds to catch enough trout that I stopped counting.
This area of the park is fairly special, as it has a good deal of shallow, quick moving current, where fish can hold naturally around rocks, and in pools underneath riffles. This, in my opinion, is the best place to fish in the park, if you are willing to learn how to fish small flies, in a nymphing style.
The Hunter Mentality - Learn to Catch What Doesn’t Want To Be Caught
One of my favorite ways to approach new styles of fishing is to find the clearest water possible, and watch how the fish are interacting with their surroundings, and watch how they feed. Learning to hunt these trout is a great way to understand what sorts of bait or FLIES TO USE.
The Only Fly You’ll Ever Need
You might be surprised to hear this, but there’s only one fly you’ll ever need to fly fish. It’s the Pat’s Rubber Leg (PRL) in a size 10. In coffee brown and black, with brown flexi legs, it catches wild fingerlings with parr marks, and it catches giant 20” brown trout. It doesn’t always work, but when fish are in the mood, it works as good as anything else does. We have many happy customers who consider this their go-to confidence fly, no matter where they fish for trout.
Trout can be foraging the bottom for small aquatic bugs swept up from the bottom of rocks. They can also be aggressive ensuring their position in a water column or pecking order. They can also be actively feeding on anything that swims or floats by, and may take a streamer, dry fly, egg pattern or nymph that you drift by their nose.
With nearly 1.5 miles of stream from the headwaters of Bennett Spring to where it dumps into the Niangua River, there are ample opportunities to catch a Trout. The landscape varies, offering opportunities to change it up or look for new pockets of fish. There are also three distinct fishing zones that permit DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISHING that give advantages to anglers of different ages and skill levels.
Home Is Where The Water Is
All in all, Bennett Spring State Park is a GREAT place to learn how to fly fish, with lots of wide open areas where you can practice throwing flies with a full back cast. It has some challenging areas that require a bit more skill, where you can develop a roll cast. It offers ADA access for those whose physical needs make it difficult to traverse the water in waders. Bennett Spring is a special place, and although there are other places I may prefer to go if I have the choice, it holds a special place in my heart.
Fore more information about Bennett Spring, the State Park, and surrounding amenities, check out the following list of shops, resorts, and accommodations you can find in and around this park.
BENNET SPRING STATE PARK STORE
BENNET SPRING STATE PARK CAMPING
BENNETT SPRING STATE PARK RESTAURANT
LARRY’S FLY SHOP (BLUE BELL ICE CREAM!)
