Why the big changes at the 4 Trout Parks and managed trout streams in Missouri is because the Missouri Department of Conservation is trying to keep Didymo (rock snot) from entering our State and taking over our streams. 

Didymo (rock snot) is an invasive microscopic alga that is white to tan in color, not green.  It forms thick mats that have seriously negative impacts on streams, affecting aquatic invertebrate populations and can make fishing impossible.   Currently, Didymo exists in 22 states and occurs as close as northern Arkansas on the White River. 

What anglers need to do:

·         Check -Remove all visible clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, water shoes and sandals, canoes and kayaks and anything else that has been in the water.

·         Clean your gear in a 2 percent household bleach solution (1/3 cup per gallon of water), 5 percent saltwater solution (1 cup per gallon of water) or dishwashing detergent. Scrub boats and other “hard” items thoroughly.

·         Completely soak equipment, felt-sole waders, personal flotation devices and other “soft” material for at least 20 minutes.

·         Use the Boot wash stations at Missouri’s Trout Parks before entering the stream  3 Minutes in the salt solution will destroy Didymo cells on nonporous wader soles and equipment

·         Dry -Allow any item that has been in contact with the water to completely dry; the item should be exposed to sunlight and left to dry for at least 48 hours before entering a different trout stream.

·         Use the Wader Wash Stations provided at the four trout parks and at Taneycomo.

·         We all need to do our part to keep Didymo out of Missouri trout streams 

As of March 1, 2012 all porous soled waders, boots and shoes constructed of felt or other woven materials are prohibited in the four state trout parks: Bennett Spring, Montauk, Maramec Spring and Roaring River as well as all managed trout streams in Missouri: 

(A) Barren Fork Creek  - Shannon County

(B) Blue Springs Creek  - Crawford County

(C) Crane Creek  - Stone and Lawrence counties

(D) Current River  - Dent, Texas and Shannon counties

(E) Dry Fork Creek  - Crawford and Phelps counties

(F) Eleven Point River  - Oregon County

(G) Hickory Creek  - Newton County

(H) Lake Taneycomo  - Taney County

Little Piney Creek  - Phelps County

(J) Meramec River  - Crawford and Phelps counties

(K) Mill Creek  - Phelps County

(L) North Fork of White River  - Ozark County

(M) Roubidoux Creek  - Pulaski County

(N) Spring Creek - Phelps County

(O) Capps Creek - Barry and Newton counties

(P) Niangua River - Dallas and Laclede counties

(Q) Roaring River - Barry County

(R) Maramec Spring Park - Phelps County

(S) Montauk State Park - Dent County

(T) Roaring River State Park - Barry County

(U) Bennett Spring State Park - Dallas and Laclede counties

(V) Stone Mill Spring Branch - Pulaski County

Wader Treatment video: http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-bans-porous-soled-waders-help-protect-trout-waters-invasive-algae .

Information provided by
Brian Bartlett
Missouri Department of Conservation