Quick trip July 22/23

[Xraydude]

We made a quick trip to the park July 22 and 23rd.  My nieces and nephews (one set from Las Vegas) from 2 sisters wanted to do a bit of trout fishing!  How lucky am I??  The water was just slightly cloudy from recent rains, and the weather was spectacular.  Unfortunately, there really are no fish in the hatchery, with all fish coming from SOH's and Neosho.  I saw the stocking numbers 1600/1400 were about half of a normal busy summer weekend and new things would be slow.  Nonetheless, my team did a great job getting up early for the whistle and staying late into the evening.  We tried spinners early, jigs throughout the day and fur balls.  There must be a lot to eat in the stream as only about 12 fish caught altogether for both days.  Slowest fishing I have encountered there in 40 years.  Nonetheless the Bennett Spring Special at the Lodge was tasty as ever.

I sure hope the new plans for the hatchery (again) meets the needs for the fishery, as its quite disappointing. Many areas which once had a rock beach where family could hang out and watch is overgrown with vegetation.  Hoping for better days for this park.

 

 

[fshndoug]

Bennett sucks anymore fewer fish in the stream  the park looks like crap. Some one should be fired including the directors of MDC and the parks dept.

 

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[trythisonemv]

Went this early spring late winter and it was loaded with fish

[Xraydude]

Nothing but weeds in the hatchery now. 
 

[BilletHead]

1 minute ago, Xraydude said:

Nothing but weeds in the hatchery now. 
 

         Yep, seen that last week. Pitiful. 

[tjm]

I don't pay attention to that park but I'm pretty sure I had an automated email that the hatchery was being rebuilt, you can't do that when it's full of fish. The weeds  won't hinder the excavators at all though, so don't worry about them.

The best thing that could happen to any of our fisheries would be reduced catch rate, if reduced numbers of fish in the spring results in fewer anglers, the long term result will be improvement. There are at least three times more people using RRSP than it should have throughout the summer. That heavy usage/wear is reflected in every aspect of park management. an average mall parking lot is more pleasant most days.

[Xraydude]

Yes trout park fishing is a social thing. There was a time when they stocked 12+ inch fish minimum, a 5 fish limit and plenty of fish in the stream.  There is not a focus on quality experience at BSSP anymore. Its how many little fish can we stock at the least amount of money. 

[Nick Adams]

4 hours ago, tjm said:

hatchery was being rebuilt

Yes. I saw it on KY3. They had a ground breaking last week.

https://www.ky3.com/video/2023/08/02/missouri-department-conservation-breaks-ground-hatchery-improvements-bennett-spring-state-park/

[trythisonemv]

I think attention to trout parks takes pressure of pristine quality spots so they serve a purpose. Will say the parks were a lot better fifteen plus yeas ago. Crane Creek and some of the blue ribbon areas don't get a lot of traffic and I really value that

[oneshot 1]

They use to stock more in the Niangua River when limit was 5.

oneshot