Maramec State Park

Maramec Spring Park is home to one of four trout parks in the state of Missouri. Maramec is unique as a privately owned park operated by the James Foundation while its fishery is administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Maramec Spring Hatchery produces about 100,000 trout a year that are all stocked in Maramec Spring Park. Trout are received as three-inch fingerlings from Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery at Branson, MO. The trout are fed three times a day, growing three-fourths to an inch each month. The fish are reared in a raceway fed by the water from Maramec Spring. The fish are stocked at a rate of 2.25 fish per daily tag sold and are at least 12 inches in length. An additional 40,000 trout are hauled in from Montauk Hatchery each year to be stocked in the park.

Maramec Spring Hatchery is one of five trout hatcheries operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. These hatcheries stock close to 1.9 million trout in Missouri waters each year. Over a million of those rainbows were stocked in the trout parks.

Maramec Spring Hatchery also manages Indian Trail Hatchery, a warmwater facility that raises farm pond fish, located near Salem.

River Levels

Meramec River at Steelville 

Meramec River at Cook Station

Fishing Hours in Missouri Trout Parks

Catch & Release Winter Season

• Winter catch-and-release season is from the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February, open only 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.

Trout fishing is permitted in accordance with the Missouri 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.

Each anglers hall 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 anglers 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.

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.

The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks trout into approximately .6 miles of the Spring Branch each day.  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.

Fees
The cost to enter Maramec Spring Park is $5 per car and $25 per bus. School buses may enter without charge.

During "OLD IRON WORKS DAYS" the cost is $15 per car and $25 per bus.

A season parking pass may be purchased for $35. This pass allows you to enter the park throughout the year without being charged a daily fee.

During Kid's Fishing Day, those vehicles containing a child  age 15 or younger may enter Maramec Spring Park free.

Maramec Spring
Maramec has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This spring possesses exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of the United States.

Maramec Spring is the centerpiece of the park. The spring's water gushes from beneath a huge bluff. It is estimated that the spring produces an average of 100 million gallons of water each day making it the fifth largest spring in Missouri.  Since the spring is fed by rainwater stored deep within the earth, the spring flow is only mildly affected by drought. Heavy rain, over extended periods, can cause the flow to increase significantly.

The daily temperature of the spring water is 56 degrees fahrenheit. As a result, the water never freezes. It appears to be warm in the winter and cold in the summer. The water quality of Maramec Spring is good. Cool, clean water has made it possible for trout to thrive in Maramec Spring.

Be certain to visit the Maramec Museum to learn more about the spring.

Referring Sites:

Maramec Spring Park