November 1 marked the start of “catch and release” trout fishing in Hickory Creek in Neosho. This stream flows 2 miles or so through Morse Park.
It is classified as a White Ribbon Trout Stream; nine streams of this classification exist throughout Missouri.
We are lucky enough to have two such streams in Newton County. The other is Capps Creek near Jolly Mill, on the east side of the county.
From March 1 through Oct. 31, anglers on these White Ribbon Streams are allowed to catch and keep 4 trout per day that are caught from the stream.
From Nov. 1 through the end of February, all trout caught from the stream must be released back into the water unharmed.
This non-consumptive means of fishing assures that the numbers of trout in the stream remains high and allows fish to be caught more than once through the winter months.
