Wild Vs Stocked @ Lane Springs

[2sheds]

I fish Lane Springs in mid-summer and catch trout of all sizes. Some small with parr markings (obviously wild) and some of mature sizes. I understand that the nearest stocking point is 5 miles downstream at Milldam Hollow. What is the likelihood that the summer trout caught at Lane are stockers swimming upstream vs the wild trout that are obviously reproducing in the spring section of the river ?

[ozark trout fisher]

I fish Lane Springs in mid-summer and catch trout of all sizes. Some small with parr markings (obviously wild) and some of mature sizes. I understand that the nearest stocking point is 5 miles downstream at Milldam Hollow. What is the likelihood that the summer trout caught at Lane are stockers swimming upstream vs the wild trout that are obviously reproducing in the spring section of the river ?

There are undoubtedly a few stockers in the Lane Spring area, but the vast majority of the fish are wild, if that can only be evidenced by the fact that most of the fish are considerably smaller than the stockers they put in down on the lower part of the creek. Any fish over 11 or 12 inches could conceivably be a stocker, but even then it would probably be the exception to the rule. I think most of the hatchery fish in the Milldam Hollow area end up on a stringer before they would have much chance to migrate upriver. I have encountered a number of clearly stocked fish in the Vida Slab area, especially below the slab bridge, which acts as at least a partial fish barrier.

As a matter of fact, in the stretch from the Slab to the upper end of the White Ribbon section, you're likely to encounter as many stockers as wild trout (and in some areas very few trout at all.) Despite being part of the Blue Ribbon "Wild Trout Water", not much spawning goes on downstream from Vida due to seriously degraded habitat. It's a classic example of a stretch of stream that could be capable of supporting a quality wild trout population, but it suffers from every kind of abuse known to man,including cattle in the stream, gravel mining, and maybe worst of all, a lack of any kind of trees or other vegetation in the riparian corridor. All of this leads to a wide, slow, silty stream with water temperatures that are far higher than they need to be. So you end up with a relatively lifeless stretch of river with nothing but the odd migrant trout in a few of the riffles, lots of chubs, and the occasional smallmouth. Very sad. It would be an excellent candidate for some kind a TU stream restoration project, but I digress.

[watermen]

Logically some, to know for sure the next time your driving through rolla take the E exit north 1 mile and stop in at the conservation office at the road split and the kid that does all the shocking stocking and surveys for the area works in the back office on the right. Pat is the front desk lady and they are both nice people. He knows all the area streams and they're limitations. You would then have a sure answer to your question and some hints on where the best fishing areas are locally. His shocking records would answer your questions for sure.

[Ted Calcaterra]

Do you have the number there because I would like to ask them about the access at Vida Slab. Is it tresspassing to park there and fish the creek staying within the high water mark?

[ozark trout fisher]

Is it tresspassing to park there and fish the creek staying within the high water mark?

The owners will try to run you off...But legally, it probably isn't trespassing.

[2sheds]

And, as you have probably found, it is difficult to wade through the deep holes downstream of the public area at Lane Springs.