Offering some of the finest trout fishing in the Midwest, Montauk State Park is located at the headwaters of the famed Current River. The park's springs combine with tiny Pigeon Creek to supply 43 million gallons of water to the river each day. The cool, clear stream is an ideal home for rainbow trout, and the scenic valley is the perfect setting for camping, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.
Anglers descend on Montauk State Park from March 1 to Oct. 31 for the official trout season, and on winter weekends for a catch-and-release season. After a day of fishing, you can tour the park's trout hatchery, managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Early settlers first established Montauk as a self-sufficient community in the early 1800s. A gristmill, built in 1896, is open seasonally for tours.
For visitors wishing to spend a night or more in the park, Montauk offers a wide variety of choices. The large campground, equipped with modern restrooms, hot showers and dump stations, features both basic and electric sites. The park offers rental cabins with kitchens, modern fourplex cabins and motel rooms for guests choosing to spend the night indoors. A modern dining lodge opens daily during the trout season and on weekends during the catch-and-release season.
Montauk State Park’s premier attraction is trout fishing, and the Current River contains both rainbow and brown trout. The pristine waters and natural surroundings of the Current River are an excellent background for trout fishing. Trout season opens March 1 and lasts until Oct. 31. In between, there is a catch-and-release program for year-round angling fun at the park. License and daily trout tags are required.
Trout Fishing Regulations
Montauk has three fishing areas.
Catch-and-Release Only Area
In waters designated catch-and-release, trout may not be possessed. All trout must be returned unharmed immediately. Only flies may be used.
Fly Fishing Only Area
In waters designated fly fishing only, a fly shall be constructed on a single point hook of feathers, tinsel, chenille, yarn, fur, silk, rayon or nylon thread or floss, with or without a spinner.
Artificial Lures and Natural Bait Area
In waters designated artificial lures and natural bait, any bait, including lures, natural bait or flies may be used.
These areas are marked in the park and maps are also available.
Trout Fishing Hours
| |
Beginning Time |
Ending Time |
| March |
6:30 a.m.*/7:30 a.m.** |
6 p.m.*/7 p.m.** |
| April |
7 a.m. |
7:30 p.m. |
| May |
6:30 a.m. |
8:15 p.m. |
| June and July |
6:30 a.m. |
8:30 p.m. |
| August |
7 a.m. |
8 p.m. |
| September |
7:30 a.m. |
7:15 p.m. |
| October |
7:30 a.m. |
6:30 p.m. |
* Central Standard Time
** Central Daylight Time
| Catch-and-Release Season |
Beginning Time |
Ending Time |
2nd Friday in Nov. through the 2nd Monday in February
(Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only) |
8 a.m. |
4 p.m. |
Regulations
- Trout fishing is permitted in accordance with the state wildlife code and posted restrictions daily from March 1 through Oct. 31, and during the winter catch-and-release season from the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only.
- Each angler shall display a daily trout tag purchased in the area and bearing his or her signature.
- Each angler shall have a state fishing permit except those 15 years and younger or Missouri residents 65 years and older.
- Each angler shall keep their trout separate at all times and identified with their name and address.
- The daily limit is four, possession limit eight trout.
- Only a single pole or rod may be used. Gigging, snaring or snagging is not permitted.
- The use of game fish or parts thereof for bait is prohibited; chumming is not permitted.
- No trout may be possessed in the catch-and-release area.
Montauk State Park Campground Information
All campground loops are open and reservable year-round. The campground showerhouses and coin-operated laundries are open seven days a week from Feb. 25 through October. Electricity and frost-free water spigots are available in the campground year-round.
Campground guests may purchase firewood from the campground woodlot. From Feb. 25 through Oct. 31, the woodlot is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Campers planning to carry in firewood must comply with current firewood advisories.
From Nov.1 through Feb. 24, the woodlot is closed. During those months, wood is available on weekends from the dining lodge during their business hours
Lodging
The cabins, dining lodge, motel, store and snack bar are operated by your concession hosts, James and Mary Coffman and Steve Fisher. Laundry facilities are available for the convenience of park visitors in the campground Feb. 28 through Oct. 31. Let a member of the concession staff make your visit to Montauk State Park more enjoyable. For more information about the concession facilities, please call 573-548-2434
Montauk State Park offers one- and two-bedroom housekeeping cabins with kitchens, sleeping cabins and motel rooms. All cabins and motel rooms are air-conditioned and heated. Linens are furnished in all types of lodging. Motel units 1 and 18 and cabins 11, 12 and 26 are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Cabins 9 and 10, cabin 15 and cabins 22 through 33 have tub/shower combinations, all others are equipped with showers only. Queen-size beds are available in cabins 9 through 12 and 22 through 33. All motel rooms as well as cabins 22 through 33 are equipped with televisions (limited reception). Cabin 15 has a wood-burning fireplace. Cabins 26 through 29 have gas fireplaces. Cabins 27 and 28 have hot tubs.
Lodging is offered year-round. For 2009, housekeeping cabins with kitchens range from $97 to $152 per night. Motel rooms and sleeping cabins without kitchens range from $61 to $73 per night.
The mill at Montauk State Park is over 100 years old. This historic site was a vital part of the Montauk Community into the 1920s. Built in 1896, the “Old Mill” had elaborate milling machinery. Much of it is still located there. Free guided tours of the mill are given on weekends. Hours vary, depending on demand and scheduled group tours. New schedules are posted each week showing times and dates for available public tours. For information regarding tours or to schedule a special group tour, contact the park naturalist at 573-548-2225.
The Rose Holland Trout Derby is held at Montauk State Park each year during the first full weekend in October. Various smaller trout derbies are held during the remainder of the trout season.
The Missouri Department of Conservation sponsors tours of the trout hatcheries. For information on a schedule of tours, contact the hatchery personnel at 573-548-2585.
Picnic Area/Playground
The park has two open picnic shelters perfect for large family gatherings or special outings. Both shelters have picnic tables, outdoor grills, a children’s playground and restroom facilities nearby. There is also a playground facility located in the campground.
The “new” shelter can be reserved for $30 per day, accommodates up to 70 guests and is equipped with electrical outlets. The “old” shelter can be reserved for $25 per day and accommodates roughly 30 guests.
Meeting Rooms
The Searcy Building is home to the park administrative offices and a spacious meeting room equipped with a kitchen and restroom facility. The meeting room can be reserved at a rate of $65 for groups of one to 30 and $80 for groups of 30 to 50.
To reserve the meeting room for business groups or family gatherings and to arrange catered meals, contact the lodge manager at 573-548-2434 or 800-334-6946.
Park Hours
The park is accessible twenty-four hours a day. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Late arrivals for lodging and camping should remain quiet during check in after 10 p.m.
Winter Hours (Off-Season)
From Nov. 1 through Feb. 28, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Montauk State Park office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.
Summer Hours (On-Season)
From March 1 through Oct. 31, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Montauk State Park office is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Directions to Montauk State Park
From St. Louis
Montauk State Park is 140 miles from St. Louis. Travel west on I-44 to Rolla. Exit onto U.S. Hwy. 63 south. At Licking, turn left onto Hwy. 137 and follow it through town for three miles. Turn left onto Route VV and travel 10 miles to Hwy. 119. Turn right and enter the state park.
From Salem
Montauk State Park is 22 miles from Salem. Travel west on Hwy. 32 to Hwy. 119. Turn left onto Hwy. 119 and continue for 10 miles to the state park.
From Springfield
Montauk State Park is 110 miles from Springfield. Travel east on U.S. Hwy. 60 to Cabool. Turn left/north onto U.S. Hwy. 63. Ten miles north of Houston, turn right onto Route P and travel one mile to Hwy. 137. At Hwy. 137, turn left and travel three miles to Route VV. Turn right onto Route VV and continue 10 miles to Hwy. 119. Turn right and enter the state park.
