JEFFERSON CITY, MO. ? The arrival of cold weather doesn’t have to mean the end of hot fishing opportunities at Missouri’s four trout parks.

The chance to catch fish continues after the regular season passes and crowds disappear from Montauk, Roaring River and Bennett Spring state parks and Maramec Spring Park.

Catch-and-keep fishing in the four parks ends Oct. 31 each year, but the parks reopen on the second Friday of November to “no-creel” fishing.

The parks will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 8. All you need to participate is a fishing permit and a statewide trout permit ($7), which is valid throughout the winter season.

Anglers at Montauk State Park near Licking will find more water open for the no-creel season. This year, the entire area upstream from the Campground Bridge will be open to catch-and-release fishing.

Anglers at Roaring River State Park near Cassville will not be able to buy fishing permits at the Roaring River Inn this year. However, permits will be on sale at the hatchery office.

Tackle for the winter catch-and-release season is restricted to flies only. Jigs on single-point hooks meet the definition of a “fly,” and are among the most effective lures for trout park fishing.

The best fishing is generally before noon or on cloudy, snowy or rainy days.