Roaring River State Park

Roaring River State Park is located seven miles south of Cassville, Missouri, on Highway 112.  This state park covers 3,358 acres and includes a nature center, new lodge, swimming pool, cabins, motel, campground, restaurant, a well-developed system of hiking trails, and more. The park was donated to the state of Missouri in 1928 by Dr. Thomas M. Sayman.  There's so much history at Roaring River from the spring to the lodge that it's a must-see.

Roaring River Spring emerges from the base of a shady limestone bluff and produces an average of 20.4 million gallons of water each day, making it the 20th largest in Missouri. The two-and-one-half-mile spring branch is separated into three fishing zones. No wading is permitted, except in the catch-and-release area in Zone 2.

The hatchery is at the head of Roaring River, adjacent to scenic Roaring River Spring. About 270,000 12-inch rainbows are stocked annually, along with a few thousand 10- to 11-inch brown trout and a handful of three - to five-pound lunker rainbows each season. Amazingly enough, anglers catch several hundred lunker trout topping three pounds from the stream each year.

During no-creel fishing in the winter, anglers can experience catch after catch of larger trout. At times anglers and visitors can see eagles flying over the stream or perching in nearby trees. The no-creel season lasts from the second Friday in November to the second Sunday in February.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, guided tours of the hatchery facility begin at 2 p.m. daily. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, guided tours are available for groups at their request.

Camping accommodations are outstanding with 187 sites and 26 rustic cabins. The new Roaring River Inn and Conference Center offers fine dining and great rooms.

Kid's Day is a special time at Roaring River. Hatchery, park staff, and the community all come together to make the day one that families will remember a long time. The first five holes are reserved just for youth 15 years of age and younger on these special days.

Fishing Hours in Missouri Trout Parks

Trout fishing is permitted in accordance with the Wildlife Code and posted restrictions daily from March 1st to October 31st, and during the winter catch and release season.  Throughout the year all anglers shall have a state fishing permit except those 15 years and younger or Missouri residents 65 years and older.  Any resident of Missouri 65 years and older shall carry a valid Missouri motor vehicle operator's license, notarized affidavit, or similar official document proving his/her eligibility based on residence and age.

There are 3 fishing zones at Roaring River, each are completely different.  See our river map page for details on rules and location of these special areas.

Zone One - From the hatchery to the posted sign at the mouth of Dry Hollow Creek, scented and unscented soft plastic baits, artificial lures and flies may be used.  No other natural and scented may may be used.  Dough bait, putty or paste type baits is prohibited.

Zone Two - From the posted sign at the mouth of Dry Hollow Creek to the old dam in the lower campground, only flies may be used.  In the area of Zone 2 designated as catch and release only (from the posted sign at the mouth of Dry Hollow Creek to the posted sign below the bridge on Highway F) trout may not be possessed and must be returned to the water unharmed immediately.  This portion of Zone 2 is designated as a multiple use area with wading and swimming allowed.  Fishing is not permitted on the south bank (bluff said) from the posted sign near the old dam to the posted sign near campground 2 in Zone 2.

Zone Three- From the old dam to the park boundary, natural and scented baits, soft plastic baits, artificial lures and flies may be used.  The area from the first bridge below the dam to the border of the park may be fished with either a daily tag or a trout permit.

Trout Lure Definitions

Fly-  an artificial lure constructed on a single point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented baits as defined below, that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached.

Artificial Lure - a lure constructed of any material excluding soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as defined below.

Soft Plastic Bait - synthetic eggs, synthetic worms, synthetic grubs and soft plastic lures.

Natural and Scented Baits - a natural fish food such as bait fish, crayfish, frogs permitted as bait, grubs, insects, larvae, worms, salmon eggs, cheese, corn and other food substances not containing any ingredient to stupefy, injure or kill fish. This does not include flies or artificial lures. It does include dough bait, putty or paste-type bait, any substance designed to attract fish by taste or smell and any fly, lure or bait containing or used with such substances.

Each angler shall sign and display a daily trout tag purchased on the area.  The statewide daily limits if 4 trout, regardless of number of daily tags purchased or waters fished.  No person shall continue to fish for any species in these trout waters after harvesting a daily limit of 4 trout anywhere in Missouri.

Each angler shall keep their trout separate at all times and identified with the angler's name and address.

Daily Limit - 4 trout, possession limit is 8 trout.  All brown trout less than 15 inches must be released unharmed immediately after capture.  There is no minimum length limit on rainbow trout.

Only a single pole or rod may be used.  Gigging, snaring, snagging and the taking of live bait are NOT permitted.

No person shall continue to fish for nay species in these trout waters after having four trout in possession.

Wading is permitted by anglers only.

Swimming and use of water craft is prohibited.

The use of game fish or parts thereof for bait or chumming is NOT permitted.

Winter Catch and Release Season

• Winter catch and release season is from the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February.  Days of the week - Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday only.
• All anglers must possess a trout permit during the winter catch and release season.
• The area open for winter fishing is from the hatchery to the bridge below the old dam in the lower campground.
• Only flies are permitted during winter catch and release season.  A fly is defined as an artificial lure constructed on a single point hook, using any material except soft plastic and natural and scented bait that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached.

Fishing Hours in Missouri Trout Parks

CATCH AND KEEP SEASON (MARCH 1- OCT. 31)

Park fishermen are required to have a Missouri Fishing Permit and a Daily Trout Tag.  These can be purchased at the Parks Company Store.

COST- $3.00 Daily Tag For Adults
$2.00 Daily Tag For Children 15 Under

Buy Missouri Fishing Licenses Online!

Missouri Wildlife Code

Report Violations - Poachers

In cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Operation Game Theft works to stop the illegal taking of fish and wildlife that includes trophy animals and rare and endangered species.

2015-16 Catch and Release Season starts November 13, 2015 and ends February 8, 2016.

Catch & Release Winter Season

• Winter catch-and-release season is from the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February.  The park is then open only on  Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday each week.
• All anglers must possess a trout permit during the winter catch-and-release season.
• The area open for winter fishing is from the hatchery to the bridge below the old dam in the lower campground.
• Only flies are permitted during winter catch-and-release season.  A fly is defined as an artificial lure constructed on a single point hook, using any material except soft plastic and natural and scented bait that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached.
• Fishing hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For Roaring River reservations and information, call (417) 847-2330 or 1-800-334-6946.