Bennett Spring State Park
Daily-stocked rainbow trout during the March 1–Oct. 31 catch-and-keep season, plus winter catch-and-release days.
Best for: Trout
Open full guidePICK THE TRIP
Six destinations.
Different reasons to go.
These aren't interchangeable. Pick trout, big reservoir fishing, or a longer multi-species trip first.
TROUT
Bennett or Montauk
Best when trout is the entire point of the trip. Read the zone and seasonal rules before packing bait.
BIG MISSOURI WATER
Ozarks or Mark Twain
Better for bass, crappie, catfish and a boat-oriented weekend.
ILLINOIS
Carlyle or Rend
Large-reservoir options east/southeast of St. Louis with strong multi-species fisheries.
Montauk State Park
A classic trout destination with daily stocking during the regular season and access to productive Current River trout water below the park.
Best for: Trout
Open full guideLake of the Ozarks
A true destination lake. MDC's 2026 outlook calls largemouth bass, crappie and blue catfish the best bets.
Best for: Bass · Crappie · Catfish
Open full guideMark Twain Lake
Big reservoir trip for bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. Current special rules include a 15-inch bass minimum and 15-crappie daily limit.
Best for: Bass · Crappie · Catfish
Open full guideCarlyle Lake
A 26,000-acre Illinois reservoir about 60 miles east of St. Louis with broad boating and shore-fishing possibilities.
Best for: Bass · Crappie · Catfish
Open full guideRend Lake
A southern Illinois destination where the 2026 outlook rates largemouth bass very good and white bass good.
Best for: Bass · White Bass · Crappie
Open full guideROAD-TRIP CHECKLIST
Don't drive two hours
to learn the rules at the ramp.
01
Verify regulation
Trout parks use daily tags and zones; reservoirs can have special length and harvest limits.
02
Check conditions
River level, reservoir wind, dock access and seasonal closures matter more on destination water.
03
Build around a target
A trout-park trip and a blue-catfish trip need completely different gear. Decide before packing.