Brian Wise fishes a run in Bennett Spring Trout Park.

Description of Water

Bennett Spring is Missouri’s third-largest spring. Bennett’s spring branch is a mile and a half long, and is divided into three separate fishing zones. This area was acquired by the state of Missouri in 1924. Today, the park encompasses over 3,000 acres. Bennett Spring State Park has much to offer the family, including a nature interpretative center, reception center, church, dining lodge, swimming pool, cabins, campground, picnic area, and numerous hiking trails.

The upper 2000 feet of the outflow stream from the spring to the dam (Zone 1) is reserved for fly fishing only. The area from the dam to the whistle bridge (Zone 2) allows fishing by artificial lure only. Fly fishermen may fish this area as well. The area downstream of the whistle bridge (Zone 3) may be fished by only by natural bait and those lures otherwise prohibited in the other two areas. Bennett Springs is stocked with Rainbow Trout as well as some Brown Trout. On July 13, 2003 a Brown Trout of 16lbs 15oz was caught by Jeff Tiefenauer while fly fishing a Red Fox Squirrel Nymph in Bennett Springs Park, so the potential for big fish definitely exists here.

Popular Access Points

1. Bennett Springs State Park — Main Lodge (Google Earth Download) (Garmin Waypoint Download)

Maps of Stream

1. Missouri Department of Conservation Map of Bennett Spring Trout Park

Recommended Fly Patterns

1. Mohair Leech (Size: #10)(Color: Olive or Tan/Ginger or White)
2. Crackleback (Size: #16)(Color: Sulphur or Olive)
3. Griffith’s Gnat (Size: #20)(Color: Grizzly or Black)
4. Partridge & Yellow Soft Hackle (Size: #16)(Color: Yellow)
5. Conehead Slumpbuster (Size: #8)(Color: Gray or Olive)

Stream Specific Links

1. USGS Stream Guage Link for Bennett Spring
2. Weather.com Weather Forecast for Area (Lebanon, MO)
3. Weaver’s Tackle Store
4. Bennett Spring State Park — MO DNR Site

Stream Photos