Fishing Zones & Regulations
Roaring River State Park · USGS 07050152
Official Park Map — Click a Zone
Tap any colored zone for regulations. Boundaries traced from official MDC map. Always follow posted signs on the water.
■ Zone 1
■ Zone 2
■ Zone 3
Zone 1
Artificial & Fly
Hatchery to mouth of Dry Hollow Creek
Allowed
- ✓Artificial lures (manufactured)
- ✓Soft plastic baits — synthetic worms, grubs, eggs (scented or unscented)
- ✓Flies — single-point hook; may include a spinner
Not permitted
- ✗Natural baits — worms, salmon eggs, corn
- ✗Putty/dough/paste baits — PowerBait paste, cheese
Notes
- 📌 Stocked daily March 1–Oct 31 (~3 fish/angler)
- 📌 Best zone in high water (less extra flow from Dry Hollow)
- 📌 ADA pier and walkway on both sides of stream
Zone 2
Fly Only
Dry Hollow Creek to old dam, Campground 3
Allowed
- ✓Flies only — single-point hook of feathers, tinsel, chenille, yarn, fur, silk, rayon, or nylon
- ✓Single-hook Rooster Tails and marabou jigs qualify as “flies” under MO definition
Not permitted
- ✗Multi-hook or treble-hook lures
- ✗Soft plastic baits
- ✗Natural or scented bait of any kind
Special areas
- 📌 Upper portion (Dry Hollow to Hwy F bridge) = catch-and-release only
- 📌 Trophy brown trout in C&R section; stocked less frequently
- 📌 Wading and swimming permitted in C&R area
Zone 3
All Bait & Lure
Old dam (Campground 3) to park boundary
Allowed
- ✓Flies, artificial lures, soft plastic baits
- ✓Natural baits — live bait, real worms, salmon eggs
- ✓Scented baits — PowerBait paste, dough, putty, cheese
Not permitted
- ✗Chumming or pre-baiting the water
- ✗Game fish parts as bait
Notes
- 📌 Wilder setting, minimal bank access, less crowded
- 📌 Great for salmon eggs under bobber, spinners, crankbaits near rootwads
- 📌 White PowerBait paste, small hoppers, beetles all effective
- 📌 ADA fishing pier and parking at lower end
Bait & Lure Definitions
Official MDC definitions as they apply to Roaring River zones.
🪝 Fly
Single-point hook of feathers, tinsel, chenille, yarn, fur, silk, rayon, or nylon; may include a spinner. Missouri's definition is broad — single-hook marabou jigs and Rooster Tails qualify as “flies” in Zone 2.
🎣 Artificial Lure
Manufactured lure attracting fish by action, color, or vibration: spinners, spoons, crankbaits, jigs. Allowed in Zones 1 & 3. Only single-hook flies qualify in Zone 2.
🧪 Soft Plastic Bait
Synthetic worms, grubs, and synthetic eggs — scented or unscented. PowerBait grubs qualify. PowerBait paste does NOT — that is a putty bait, allowed in Zone 3 only.
🥩 Natural / Scented Bait
Any substance attracting fish by taste or smell: live bait, salmon eggs, worms, corn, PowerBait paste, dough, putty, cheese. Zone 3 only.
General Regulations — All Zones
March 1 – October 31 unless otherwise noted. Source: Missouri Dept. of Conservation & Missouri State Parks.
Daily limit
4 trout of all species combined
Possession limit
8 trout; stop fishing once 4 in possession
Brown trout size limit
15 inches minimum; no size limit on rainbow
Required licenses (Mar–Oct)
State fishing permit + daily trout tag ($5 adult / $3 youth ≤15)
Poles per angler
One pole or rod only
Prohibited methods
Gigging, snaring, snagging, chumming, taking live bait fish
Fishing Hours by Month
| Month | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| March | 6:30 AM (after DST) / 7:30 AM (before DST) | 6:00 PM / 7:00 PM |
| April | 7:00 AM | 7:30 PM |
| May | 6:30 AM | 8:15 PM |
| June & July | 6:30 AM | 8:30 PM |
| August | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM |
| September | 7:30 AM | 7:15 PM |
| October | 7:30 AM | 6:30 PM |
Winter Catch-and-Release Season:
2nd Friday in November – 2nd Monday in February ·
Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon only · 8:00 AM–4:00 PM ·
Flies only · Hatchery first hole to park boundary ·
Annual trout permit required
Regulations: Missouri Dept. of Conservation ·
Missouri State Parks ·
Map: Official MDC Roaring River Trout Park map ·
Zone boundaries approximate — follow posted signs on the water.