Roaring River State Park And Hatchery
Something Fishy
The Ozark Mountains cover a good portion of the Northwest quarter of Arkansas and also extends into the Southwest corner of Missouri. I have done very little exploring in Missouri and when David suggested we take a road trip there I was excited. On April 4, we crossed over the state line into Missouri and headed to one of their most popular state parks.
The Roaring River State Park in Missouri is only 60 miles from my home town and an easy drive. Roaring River State Park and Hatchery was established in 1928. The CCC did quite a bit of construction during the Depression and the quality of their craftsmanship can be seen 75 years later. They built the lodges and cabins that sit along the river and also the hatchery. You can read about their accomplishments here.
The Roaring River State Park in Missouri is only 60 miles from my home town and an easy drive. Roaring River State Park and Hatchery was established in 1928. The CCC did quite a bit of construction during the Depression and the quality of their craftsmanship can be seen 75 years later. They built the lodges and cabins that sit along the river and also the hatchery. You can read about their accomplishments here.
.It all starts at Roaring Spring which gushes out of the mountain at an incredible 20 plus million gallons a day and provides all the water for the hatchery. Water flows from the spring into a large containment pool and then eventually becomes the Roaring River. Large tanks and pools provide the breeding and growing areas to raise the fish to the size they feel are right for releasing into the river. I was amazed to see some fish over 24 inches!
Of course Roaring River is a prime spot for those who enjoy trout fishing with fly rods. The area is strictly managed and daily tags are required. Some zones are catch and release while other areas have different rules.
There are many RV campsites to accommodate the large crowds that frequent this park, especially during the opening of trout season in Missouri. We drove through several of the campsite areas and all seemed well tended and cared for. Some of the campsites were very close to the river and made for convenient fishing for those vacationing at the park. There were electrical hookups, showers and a dump station. There are also cabins and a lodge.
The river itself offered many opportunities to cast your line as it exits the spring and makes its way through the park and into the mountains. We saw many folks along the banks enjoying the nice temperatures, overcast sky at times, and the chance to catch a lunker trout. When we first entered the park we stopped to talk with a gentleman who was getting ready to fish. He told us about a place on the river where you could drive right down to the river itself. Mostly no one went there. On the way home we followed his directions and found a beautiful spot, along with a historical grave spot and old home site. A man from Kentucky drove up and started to fish. He said he was fishing here yesterday when a truck from the hatchery drove up and released a load of trout.
The Ozark Mountains offer an enormous amount and variety of outdoor activity for the one time vacationer, the regular visitor, or the local resident. I would encourage each of you to visit our neck of the woods. You will enjoy the opportunity to get away from the noise of the big cities and relax in the quiet and beauty of the Ozarks.
The Ozark Mountains offer an enormous amount and variety of outdoor activity for the one time vacationer, the regular visitor, or the local resident. I would encourage each of you to visit our neck of the woods. You will enjoy the opportunity to get away from the noise of the big cities and relax in the quiet and beauty of the Ozarks.