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Bennett Spring State Park Shelter House and Water Gauge Station
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| Location: | Dallas / Laclede counties, Missouri, USA, near Bennett Springs, Missouri |
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| Built: | 1933 |
| Architect: | CCC; NPS |
| Architectural style: | No Style Listed |
| Governing body: | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| MPS: | ECW Architecture in Missouri State Parks 1933-1942 TR |
| NRHP Reference#: | 85000527[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 28, 1985 |
Bennett Spring State Park is located approximately 12 miles west of Lebanon, Missouri on Highway 64. The park was established in 1923. It is centered around the spring that flows into the Niangua River, that gives the park its name. The park offers fly fishing, camping, canoeing, and hiking among other activities.
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Bennett Spring State Park offers trout fishing for both rainbow trout and brown trout in the natural spring that is the namesake of the park. Catch and keep fishing season is March 1 through October 31. Catch and release season is the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only.[2] Trout are stocked daily during the catch and keep season based on the fishing numbers from the previous year. The rainbow trout that are stocked can be found in all three fishing zones, few even make it to the Niangua River, where conditions are not very favorable to trout survival.
Fishing the spring stream is subject to fairly structured rules. All anglers, regardless of age must, must possess and display a daily trout tag. Fishing areas are divided into zones. Zone 1 is from the spring itself to the hatchery dam. Only artificial flies may be used in this area. The definition of a fly is spelled out as well and questions should be directed to the attendants where you purchase your daily tag. Zone 2 is from the Hatchery dam to the whistle bridge. In this area, in addition to artificial flies, other single hooked lures may be used. Finally Zone 3 from the whistle bridge to the Niangua River, only soft plastic bait (unscented), natural and scented bait are permitted. All flies and artificial lures are prohibited, even if natural bait or scent has been added.
Daily fishing begins the same every day. A whistle or siren is used to alert the anglers that it is time to fish. Fishing times vary by the season. The opening march of the angler can sometimes resemble a civil war styled battle line as the anglers progress into the water with rod in hand. The same siren is used to indicate the end of the fishing day. Daily trout tags for the following day can be purchased in the evening on the current day.