Maramec Spring Park is unique in that it is the only trout park that is not a state park. The James Foundation administers the park while the Missouri Department of Conservation administers the trout fishery. The area reserved for trout fishing (the spring branch) entails approximately 0.7 miles and has no separate fishing zones. Rainbow trout are stocked throughout the spring branch daily during the regular season which runs from March 1st to October 31st. Excellent fishing experiences can be expected throughout the regular season this year. During the fall spawn, anglers can expect larger rainbows and brown trout in the spring branch that have come up from the Meramec River. Trout fishing tutorials, guides to help you catch more trout, are available at the Conservation office. Any lunker (a trout 18 inches or longer) caught and then released will qualify for a lunker release patch. The "I Released a Lunker" program has been revitalized and now incorporates a "Grand Slam" patch. If you catch and release a lunker in all four trout parks you qualify for the slam patch. Both types of patches may be obtained from the Conservation office near the entrance of the park.
The winter catch-and-release season is open seven days a week. It will begin on the second Friday in November and end the second Sunday in February. The hours permitted for fishing are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. No species of fish may be possessed in the winter catch-and-release area. The Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area, which runs from the Missouri Highway 8 bridge to Scotts Ford, may be accessed through the park year-round.
Each year, Maramec Spring Park holds special events throughout the season. It all begins with the March 1st opener. Anglers can look forward to a heavily stocked spring branch with some lunkers thrown in to spice things up. Free coffee and doughnuts to start your morning are provided by the Saint James Chamber of Commerce and the Trout Fraternity. Each opener is something special and a memorable fishing experience. Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring is on May 15th; kids 15 years of age and younger can fish for free and no parking fee will be assessed for cars with kids inside. The entire upper half of the spring branch is reserved for kids and stocked with rainbow trout throughout the day. Games, activities, free hot dogs and soda, prizes and memories are just a few examples of what is in store for the youngsters during this event. The park will open at 5:30 a.m. with fishing starting at 6:30 a.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m. Most activities and contests will run between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you are looking for the "can't miss" event of the summer, then Kids Fishing Day is your destination. Free fishing days are June 12th and 13th. No tags or permits are needed on these days. Veteran’s Free Fishing Day is on June 5th and the trout tag fees are waived for this event. Ladies' Free Fishing Day takes place September 11th. Women of all ages are welcome and trout tag fees are waived for this event. Derby Day, October 30st, is our last big event of the year and your chance to catch a big one. Free coffee, chili, and plenty of lunkers will be stocked as our way of saying thank you for a great trout season.
MDC will continue the pilot program at Maramec Spring Park only where the daily limit will be five trout, and the cost of a daily trout tag for adults will remain at $5 and $3 for anglers 15 years of age and younger. The possession limit is 10 trout statewide.
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