Fishing Report.
How's Fishing
Fishing at Bennett Spring has been outstanding this week! Anglers have been reporting excellent catches throughout the park, with fish being caught on a variety of baits and lures.
We received a little rain this afternoon, but the stream is still looking really good. The Bennett Spring gauge is holding around 2.2 feet, and while we have more rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, the stream remains in great shape heading into the weekend. Unless we receive a significant amount of rainfall, fishing conditions should continue to be excellent.
As you have seen I have not posted a bunch on the blog and I am very sorry for that. With technology I have been utilizing Facebook alot but have had several customers say they would really like to read the report so I have done some research in figured out I can also post my videos on here.
Hatchery Update
We finally received some good news this month regarding the Bennett Spring Hatchery renovation. The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced an estimated completion date of December 2027. While that's still about 18 months away, it's encouraging to finally have a projected timeline for completion.
Below are a few highlights from the Missouri Department of Conservation's Hatchery Update:
What is the construction timeline?
Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with an estimated completion date of December 2027. See website for further details
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/bennett-spring-fish-hatchery/bennett-spring-construction-updates
Who is Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company?
Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company is the surety that issued the performance bond for the original renovation project. They have agreed to correct and complete the work left unfinished by Cahills Construction.
Why is Crossland Construction involved?
Philadelphia selected Crossland Construction as the completion contractor to finish the hatchery renovation.
Will the project cost more than the original contract?
Yes. MDC stated that Crossland's completion costs are expected to exceed the remaining unpaid contract amount. Philadelphia has agreed to cover those additional costs, provided MDC pays the remaining balance of the original contract.
What is being built behind the blue gate near the park entrance?
A new bulk feed tower is being constructed. This will allow large feed deliveries and eliminate the need for hatchery staff to handle small bags of feed every day while improving delivery access.
How will fishing continue during construction?
Fish will continue to be brought in from Montauk and Shepherd of the Hills Hatcheries, along with deliveries from a private producer. Stocking will occur 2–3 times per week, depending on projected tag sales, and will take place after the evening siren.
Why are there no fish in the hatchery raceways?
Water has been diverted away from the hatchery so crews can repair the facility's water intake system. Because of this, fish cannot be held in the hatchery and must instead be transported from other hatcheries for stocking.
Has the stocking rate been reduced?
According to MDC, no. The 2026 stocking rate remains 1.8 fish per tag sold. While fish are no longer stocked nightly, MDC states the total number of fish stocked each week is intended to be the same as it would have been under nightly stockings, with stocking schedules based on expected angler attendance and weather conditions.
What's Working?
In Zones 1 and 2, anglers have been having great success with the good ol' cream mop, white thread jigs, John Deere Mini Jigs, and black & yellow marabou jigs. Fishing deep has continued to be the key for many anglers.
Silver and Gold Super Dupers have been excellent in Zone 2 this week, especially for anglers covering plenty of water.
Rooster Tails have also been producing very well. Both bright colors and darker colors have been catching fish consistently, so don't be afraid to change colors until you find what they're wanting that day.
Zone 3 anglers have been doing very well on Orange and Pink Power Worms, Salmon Peach PowerBait, White PowerBait, and regular night crawlers.
We are expecting a chance of rain through tomorrow, but unless we receive a heavy downpour, the stream should remain very fishable throughout the weekend.
Recommendations
Zone 1 & 2:
- Cream Mop Flies
- White Thread Jigs
- John Deere Mini Jigs
- Black & Yellow Marabou Jigs
- Silver Super Duper zone 2 only
- Gold Super Duper zone 2 only
- Rooster Tails (Bright & Dark Colors) (single hook zone 1 and 2) and (treble hook only in zone 2)
Zone 3:
- Orange Power Worms
- Pink Power Worms
- Salmon Peach PowerBait
- White PowerBait
- Night Crawlers
Current Water Conditions:
- Bennett Spring Gauge: 2.2 ft
- Niangua River Gauge: 5.89 ft
Shop Update:
Stop by the shop if you need anything before heading to the stream. We have all of the baits, flies, and tackle mentioned in this week's report, and we're always happy to help point you in the right direction.
We appreciate everyone supporting Weaver's Tackle. Good luck this weekend, be safe, and I'll see you on the stream!
Cory – The Guy at Weavers