Anglers and frog hunters had a blast on Saturday at Ben Branch Lake as the Missouri Department of Conservation offered a free fishing weekend.
Conservation Agent Chad Gray said the free fishing weekend, which is offered the first weekend following the first Monday in June, is a great way for families to spend time together outdoors.
“We like to get kids out in the outdoors early,” said Gray. “There are so many other things that occupy their time and we feel that if we can be proactive and get them outside where they can get their feet wet, mud under their fingernails, or catch a fish, then they’ll do it all their life.”
Everyone in Missouri is allowed to fish without a permit for these two days each year though limits on what is caught remain the same.
“We hope to expose more people to fishing who otherwise wouldn’t go,” Gray explained. “We want to provide an opportunity for them to get out.”
Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area is 10 miles north of Linn off Missouri Hwy. 89. The Conservation Department purchased most of this 512-acre area in 1978. Since then, additional land was purchased and the area is now 563 acres.
In 1983, 39-acre Ben Branch Lake was constructed. The lake began filling in October of that year and was opened to fishing in 1985.
“It’s a beautiful area,” said Gray.
In addition to stocked fish, including large-mouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and channel catfish, the Ben Branch Conservation Lake Area also manages deer and turkey. Approximately 478 acres, or 83% of the area, is heavily wooded. Better soils in the area support white and black oak while post oak and black oak dominate the poorer soils.
Facilities on the lake include a 12-vehicle pull-off camping area, a fishing jetty, and privy accessible to persons with disabilities, and two large parking areas.
“We have some of the best resources in the state,” said Gray. “It’s unique here in Osage County, with tons of places to go to utilize nature.”
This year, more than 50 area residents took advantage of the free fishing weekend event at Ben Branch Lake, which was sponsored by Legends Bank, Linn Thriftway, Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA), Hale’s Hook & Hunt, Naught-Naught Agency, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, and MFA.
“We’re grateful to our vendors for helping us put on this event,” said Gray.
Shelly Klebba of Legends Bank said the idea to sponsor the event came from Mary Ann Gelven, who thought Ben Branch was underused and could be showcased. Legends Bank provided door prizes while food was donated by Linn Thriftway.
“This is a great community event and we need to have more things like this going on for families in the summer,” said Klebba. “There’s something for everyone and this is a great way to experience nature.”
Other areas of interest in Osage County include the Cooper Hill Conservation Area over Third Creek, along with access points at Bonnots Mill and Chamois.
“There are a lot of options for people who want to get out and enjoy the waters of Osage County,” said Gray.
The Ben Branch Conservation Area is open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.