Bennett Spring State Park Fishing Report



Located 500 yards east of Missouri's Bennett Spring State Park
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	Trout Fishing Report for Bennett Spring Brought to you by Weaver's Tackle Store March 6, 2014 How's Fishing? Another great opening at Bennett Spring. The water was, and still is. low and very, very clear. On Saturday there was no wind and it was cold, but, really, not too bad. Quite a few people left Saturday afternoon because of the snow that was coming in. For those that waited until Sunday, it might have been a 'white knuckle' drive home, but Friday and Saturday were great. The opening day number of tags sold was 1628. This number is just about half of what was expected and stocked for. Right now, with the water as clear as it is and the numbers of fish stocked should be just about as good as it gets for fishing at Bennett. For opening day there were 9000 fish stocked at Bennett of which 100 were considered lunkers. There were 100 fish sampled before stocking. The mean length of these fish was 11.98 inches. The largest was 14.5 (2) and the smallest was 9 inches (1). Mike Mitchell, the hatchery manager, has issued an open invitation to anyone who would like to watch the grading or stocking processes. His phone number, for more information, is 417-532-4418. The assistant Manager, Mike Perry, also sent me a couple of links that I found interesting. Many of you (many!) have e-mailed, written, or spoken with members of the Department of Conservation about your dissatisfaction with the product the trout parks of Missouri are putting out. You have also made your dissatisfaction known with your wallet. Trout tag sales are down in all of the parks (with the exception of Montauk). Bennett's tag sales have dropped the most, almost 20% in the last 10 years. One of the questions raised at the pre-season meeting was why the fish are smaller and if they could be grown larger. The answer was yes, but to raise a larger fish, you need to provide more food. The issue with this is that that the cost of fish food, like almost everything else, has gone up dramatically. The Department of Conservation is reacting to you, it's customers, in several ways. If you would like to know more about this, the following web sites will be of interest to you: http://mostateparks.com/page/55072/facts-and-figures . The following is a link to the trout plan that the hatcheries try to follow. http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/05/6254_4142.pdf . The projections that have been presented to us for size and amount of trout this year are promising. If we actually see the results of the new hatchery and the work that is being done this should be a great year for Missouri anglers. (I've only been here for five years and already I'm saying "show me!") I certainly don't know how to manage a hatchery, and any one of you can out-fish me on any given day, but I do know how to run a successful business. You do this by listening to your customers and by providing what they want at a fair price. It's as simple as that. Fishing Times March from 6:30 (7;30 after daylight savings time) to 6:00 (7:00) April from 7:00 to 7:30 May from 6:30 to 8:15 June/July from 6:30 to 8:30 August from 7:00 to 8:00 September from 7:30 to 7:15 October from 7:30 to 6:30 Lunker Board 03-01-14 Krystle Shoemaker from Kansas City, MO 3-3/4 pounds on a black & yellow marabou in zone 2 Jasey Brandt from Eldon, MO 2-1/4 pounds on a black & yellow marabou in zone 2 Terry Deckard from Lebanon, MO 2-1/4 pounds on orange power bait in the river David Jones II from Wentzville, MO 2 pounds on a minnow in zone 3 Frank Yardley from Kansas City, MO 2-3/4 pounds on a black & yellow marabou in zone 2 Bryan Massey from Lebanon, MO 3-1/2 pounds on yellow power bait in zone 3 Chris Evans from Mascoutah IL 3-1/4 pounds on a black & yellow marabou in zone 1 Kail McCarter from Trenton MO 3-1/4 pounds on a white rooster tail in zone 1 Joe Phelps from Kansas City, MO 2-1/2 pounds on a gingersnap marabou in zone 2 Mike Redington from Centralia MO 2-3/4 pounds on a Mepps Spinner in zone 2 Tom Richardson from Bethalto IL 2-1/4 pounds on a white jig in zone 1 Gregory Barker from Lebanon, MO 2 pounds on white power bait in zone 3 Dave Brandt from Walnut, IA 2-1/4 pounds in zone 2 on a black & yellow marabou Chris Waterman from Lebanon, MO 2-1/4 pounds on a black magnum Jerry's Fly in zone 1 Josh Yuille from Braymar, MO 2-1/4 pounds on a white fur bug in zone 2 03-02-14 Joe Phelps from Kansas City, MO 2-3/4 pounds in zone 2 on a black & yellow marabou with gold head 03-04-14 Timothy Hill from Lebanon, MO 5-1/2 pounds on a white marabou in zone 1 Water Conditions Most Recent Instantaneous Value on March 4, 2014 for Bennett Spring Spring output is 101 cubic feet per second Minimum for this date was 91 (in 1936) 25th percentile is 136. Median is 183, the mean is 235 The 75th percentile is 229 and the Max was 2250 in 1984.. The water level at the Gage House is 1.97 feet. Most Recent Instantaneous Value on March 4, 2014 for the Niangua River Cubic Feet per Second is 92 Minimum is 75 in 1996 The 25th percentile is 146, the median is 291, and the mean is 518. The 75th percentile is 598 and the max was 2650 in 2008. Calendar of Events MOSS CUTTING March 25-26 April 22-23 May 20-21 June 24-25 July 29-30 August 19-20 Sept. 16-17 October 14-15 You will notice in past years they have only cut the moss every 6 weeks and it has been a problem for the anglers. They have listened to you and are stepping up and cutting once a month this year to try and stay ahead of this issue. Thank you to the folks that are making this happen ! Weather Forecast Thursday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 40s. Light wind Friday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s. Saturday...Colder. Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain showers. Highs in the mid 40s. Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs around 50. Monday...Partly cloudy. Highs around 60. Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s. DATES TO REMEMBER Daylight savings time begins March 9, 2014 Kids Fishing Day is on May 3, 2014 Free fishing weekend is June 7 & 8, 2014 Catch and Release Season begins on November 14, 2014 Catch and Release Season Ends on February 9, 2015 Quote of the Week “Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men – for all men are equal before fish.” –Herbert Hoover Thanks for reading! Lucy Contact Information for Bennett Spring Area http://mostateparks.com/content/trout-cam - trout camera http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?06923500 - real time water levels and cubic feet per second as well as historical data http://www.mo.gov/Recreation/Outdoors/Fishing/ - official Spring site http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Weavers-Tackle-Store/371940309303 - Weaver's Tackle Store Facebook Page Phone numbers for Park Agents: Dallas County: Matt Hitchings 417-733-3876 or Jarrad Jewell 417-733-0286 Laclede County: Walt Hutton 417-718-1111 or Jarad Millican 617-288-8749 OUR PREVIOUS REPORT: Trout Fishing Report for Bennett Spring Brought to you by Weaver's Tackle Store February 19, 2014 How's Fishing? The pre-season meeting held last week allowed some frustrated people to vent about the size and amount of fish being grown and put in the stream. The discussions about small fish were led by local business people who had many, many years of experience at Bennett Spring and represented not only their own interests, but yours as well. There is also a suggestion on the table to have a midseason meeting as well to allow input from concerned anglers. If this is something you might be interested in, or if you have any other concerns, please let the department of conservation know. The website link is http://mdc.mo.gov/node/3676. The fishery division chief is Brian Canaday. He is very interested in hearing your opinions If you prefer to talk to someone in person, Mike Mitchell - 417-532-4418 - is also happy to speak to you about upcoming projections. It was also a time for those in charge of that to offer some hope for this coming season. There will be 9000 fish and 100 lunkers put in the stream for opening weekend. The projections for the coming year as a whole look good as well. For March through June the average fish size is projected to be about twelve and a half inches. After July the average will be twelve or just a little better. Tag sales for opening should be right around the average for a Saturday opening which is just over 3000. My crystal ball is telling me that it may be cooler with a little snow on opening day. That is not unusual, but be prepared. If you live in the Kansas City area or St. Louis there will be two and one more stockings respectively. The rules for catch and release or catch and keep vary by lake, so check your Department of Conservation website for rules that pertain to your area. There will not be any rule or price changes for 2014. Always good news.. Craig Fuller brought information about stocking the Niangua river to the meeting. He wanted to be clear that the river is not an especially good habitat for trout, so some years, depending on weather and other factors, the river may be a really good place to fish for trout or not. The stockings occurred in December (450 trout) and January (400). They are stocked between NRO campground and Barkley public access. The Siren Ringer for 2014 will be Mr. Milt Barr from Jefferson City, Missouri. He and his family have been coming to Bennett for over 50 years. Last year he caught the first lunker of the season - weighing in at almost five pounds. Most of you know Mike Perry, by sight if not by name. He has been working at Bennett for 14 years. He has recently been promoted from Resource Technician to Hatchery Assistant Manager. Brandon Grass has stepped up to fill the position that Mike just left. Congratulations to both of you and thank you for all the hard work and the hours that you put in. Mike grew up on a Dairy farm outside of Competition, Missouri, so working hard is a way of life for him. He got his degree from Missouri State and went to work part time for the Department of Conservation in the Waterfowl division before applying at Bennett Springs. He didn't think he would be considered for the position, but applied and went to the interview to get some practice with the process. They recognized a good person when they saw one and he was offered the job. He and his wife are both from this area and they appreciate raising their two kids where they grew up and having their friends and family close to them. Thank you, Mike, for taking the time to talk with me today and sharing a little bit about who you are. Fishing Times March from 6:30 (7;30 after daylight savings time) to 6:00 (7:00) April from 7:00 to 7:30 May from 6:30 to 8:15 June/July from 6:30 to 8:30 August from 7:00 to 8:00 September from 7:30 to 7:15 October from 7:30 to 6:30 Water Conditions Most Recent Instantaneous Value on February 19, 2014 Spring output is 101 cubic feet per second Minimum for this date was 79 (in 1979) 25th percentile is 122, Median is 176, the mean is 197 75th percentile is 241 and the Max was 508 in 1974. The water level at the Gage House is 1.97 feet. Water Conditions for the Niangua River Cubic Feet per Second is 84 Minimum is 52 in 1996 The 25th percentile is 125, the median is 227 and the mean is 309. The 75th percentile is 432 and the max was 1060 in 2008. Calendar of Events BREAKFAST AT BENNETT On Saturday, March 1st, Bennett Spring Church of God will be serving breakfast from 6:30AM until 9:00AM, or until sold out. The breakfast will consist of your choice of biscuits & gravy or pancakes with sides of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns & coffee & juice. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 for the meal. This is a fundraiser for the youth group. The church is located on Hwy 64A past the Dining Lodge in Bennett Spring State Park. CHILI DINNER FUNDRAISER FOR BSFD Also on Saturday March 1st the Bennett Spring Fire Dept. will bring back by popular demand their Chili Dinner Fundraiser. It will be held at the Bennett Spring Fire Department Firehouse on Highway 64 1/2 mile east, of the east entrance to Bennett Spring State Park. The menu will consist of chili or chili dog, all the fixins to go on these items, dessert, and drink. $5 donation for each meal. Serving hours will be from 11 AM to 3 PM or until sold out! Enjoy a good meal close to the park while supporting the Bennett Spring Fire Dept. MOSS CUTTING February 18-19 March 25-26 April 22-23 May 20-21 June 24-25 July 29-30 August 19-20 Sept. 16-17 October 14-15 You will notice in past years they have only cut the moss every 6 weeks and it has been a problem for the anglers. They have listened to you and are stepping up and cutting once a month this year to try and stay ahead of this issue. Thanks guys ! DATES TO REMEMBER Daylight savings time begins March 9, 2014 Kids Fishing Day is on May 3, 2014 Free fishing weekend is June 7 & 8, 2014 Catch and Release Season begins on November 14, 2014 Catch and Release Season Ends on February 9, 2015 Quote of the Week "Only an extraordinary person would purposely risk being outsmarted by a creature often less than twelve inches long, over and over again." ~ Janna Bialek Thanks for reading, Lucy Contact Information for Bennett Spring Area http://mostateparks.com/content/trout-cam - trout camera http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?06923500 - real time water levels and cubic feet per second as well as historical data http://www.mo.gov/Recreation/Outdoors/Fishing/ - official Spring site http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Weavers-Tackle-Store/371940309303 - Weaver's Tackle Store Facebook Page Phone numbers for Park Agents: Dallas County: Matt Hitchings 417-733-3876 or Jarrad Jewell 417-733-0286 Laclede County: Walt Hutton 417-718-1111 or Jarad Millican 617-288-8749 Noted fly fisherman, Lefty Kreh was once asked by a non-fisherman what was the sense of catching fish only to let them go. He responded, "Do you burn your golf balls after a game?"


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