Updated October 15, 2026

    Bennett SpringFishing report · spring creek in Missouri

    Bennett Spring State Park provides walk-and-wade access along a spring creek and downstream tailwater that is stocked regularly and also holds wild trout in parts; renowned for consistent hatches and accessible trout water.

    Conditions right now

    No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.

    Weather now
    56°F
    Clear Sky, wind 5 mph N
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Subsurface action is strong with nymphs imitating midges

    1. 01Subsurface action is strong with nymphs imitating midges, scuds, and mayfly larvae in the current.
    2. 02Look for rising fish during afternoon Blue-Winged Olive and Pale Morning Dun hatches, especially on cloudy days.
    3. 03Egg patterns can be effective for opportunistic trout throughout the fall.
    4. 04Streamers, stripped slowly, can entice larger trout looking for a substantial meal.
    5. 05Focus on deeper runs, current seams, and areas with aquatic vegetation.

    Past reports week by week

    11 weeks

    What to tie on

    Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.

    dry

    Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun

    #18#20#22

    Fall BWO hatches are a key event on spring creeks, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    PMD (Pale Morning Dun)

    #16#18

    Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a consistent food source for opportunistic feeding trout.

    nymph

    Flashback Scud Wet Hare's Ear

    #14#16#18

    Scuds and various aquatic insects are active subsurface year-round in spring creeks, making this a reliable searching nymph.

    nymph

    Zebra Midge

    Midge pupa (Chironomidae)
    #18#20#22#24

    Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters and spring creeks year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern.

    Buy at Amazon
    egg

    Blood Dot Egg

    Salmon/trout egg
    #10#12#14

    Fall often triggers opportunistic feeding on egg patterns by trout, even in the absence of spawning salmon.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    October Caddis (Dry)

    October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) adult
    #6#8#10

    October Caddis hatches can occur in the fall, offering opportunities for trout to feed on larger adult caddis.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Mahogany Dun

    Paraleptophlebia adult
    #14#16#18

    Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing dry fly opportunities for rising trout.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Woolly Bugger

    Leech/baitfish
    #2#4#6#8#10#12

    A versatile streamer, effective year-round for imitating leeches and baitfish, particularly good for aggressive trout in colder fall water.

    Buy at Amazon

    Where to fish and who to ask

    Weaver's Tackle Store · LebanonReading's Fly Shop · LebanonHoot's Custom Flies · LebanonBack Country Outfitters · Springfield1Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery TailraceBennett Spring State Park Hatchery Tailrace2Dry Run and Upper Spring BranchDry Run and Upper Spring Branch
    AccessFly shopGuide trips
    1

    Bennett Spring State Park Hatchery Tailrace

    Primary angling corridor below the hatchery where trout congregate and hatches are reliable.

    37.516°N 92.823°WDirections
    2

    Dry Run and Upper Spring Branch

    Upper spring creek section with classic pocket water and excellent dry-fly opportunities.

    37.520°N 92.827°WDirections

    Fly shops within 40 miles

    14mi
    14mi
    16mi

    Hoot's Custom Flies

    Lebanon, MOGuide trips
    33mi

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    Missouri season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Quick answers

    Common questions about Bennett Spring.

    What flies work best on Bennett Spring?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Bennett Spring right now are Elk Hair Caddis (80% confidence), Klinkhammer (80% confidence), Jujubaetis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Bennett Spring?

    Bennett Spring holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    Is Bennett Spring fishing well right now?

    We publish a fresh bite report for Bennett Spring each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.