Paying for Trout
The Benefits of Trout Dollars
In 1937, the first commissioners of the Department of Conservation decided that trout anglers should "pay their own way" since trout are not native to Missouri and are expensive to produce. Money from the sale of daily tags and trout permits helps balance the cost of raising trout. Each year about a half million daily tags and annual trout permits are purchased statewide.
All anglers support fisheries management through fishing-related purchases. The Sport Fish Restoration Act places a federal tax on fishing equipment and boat fuel. The Missouri Conservation Sales Tax, approved by voters in 1976, is a 1/8 of one-percent general sales tax dedicated to funding statewide conservation efforts.
Funds provided by the Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Missouri Conservation Sales Tax pay for kids' fishing programs, Stream Team volunteer workshops, fish hatcheries and fisheries management.
The Missouri Department of Conservation Trout Hatcheries
1. Roaring River Hatchery, Roaring River State Park
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, cooperative partner
2. Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, Branson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cooperative partner
3. Bennett Spring Hatchery, Bennett Spring State Park
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, cooperative partner
4. Montauk Hatchery, Montauk State Park
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, cooperative partner
5. Maramec Spring Hatchery, Maramec Spring Park
The James Foundation, cooperative partner
Erected by Missouri
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 37° 57.345′ N, 91° 31.926′ W. Marker is near St. James, Missouri, in Phelps County. It is on Maramec Spring Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in Maramec Spring Park, off Missouri Highway 8. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21880 Maramec Spring Drive, Saint James MO 65559, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rainbows & Browns (a few steps from this marker); Suspension Railroad Drop Bucket (about 400 feet away, measured in
Also see . . .
1. Maramec Spring Park Fish Hatchery. Missouri Department of Conservation website entry (Submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Raising Hatchery Trout (Arizona Game and Fish). YouTube video (6m 39s) (Submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Sport Fish Restoration Program - Overview. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website entry (Submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Lawmakers consider whether conservation tax should be renewable (The Missouri Times, 2019). (Submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on October 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
