Smithville fee changes?

Just picked up my season pass today for Smithville and noticed they now have a hang-tag system. Sounds like the 'free launch if you get there before the attendant shows' method will be a thing of the past. I assume they will check the vehicles in the lots for hang-tags and ticket those who don't pay? I always got the season pass the last several years, so I can't say I'm sad to see this change. I was told they have been giving warnings this past winter, but I bet there will be a few people in for a rude awakening. I wondered how many people even used those "Honor Boxes" since they couldn't tell the season pass people from the daily pay people. Now they will be able to tell.

Personally I don't mind the hang tag. Smithville is a nice lake close to home so it doesn't bother me to pay for yearly pass. Most other lakes in Missouri and Kansas uses hanging tags. I have the federal senior lifetime pass for $10 that lets me park at all Corp of Engineer lakes free!

Hey maybe the crowds won't be as bad this year then. I do feel if you live in clay county and pay taxes you should get a free pass. And also with this change they better get a marina with food and start doing some upgrades around shortville. Just my thoughts

:Rofl:Rofl

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Originally Posted by LeeinMo

Hey maybe the crowds won't be as bad this year then. I do feel if you live in clay county and pay taxes you should get a free pass. And also with this change they better get a marina with food and start doing some upgrades around shortville. Just my thoughts

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Hey Lee that's a good idea, just don't let you guys come across the Clinton Co. line.nonono:Rofl:yikesBy the way they were ticketing last fall. If you not using the pass you can take it down.

If I pull my boat with a horse or bicycle is the ramp free? The trails are?

How could they ticket people last fall? I had a permit I kept in my wallet to be shown when entering a ramp lot No way for them to know I had that since I didn't give them my license plate number or anything when I bought my yearly permit.

Dave your right I change my mind any county that touches any part of the lake should be free. Good point. Thanks for keeping me on track

I bought my pass last Saturday. Didn't like the fact they raised it to $100. Considering I haven't seen any improvements for years. I'm with LeeinMO. Sure would be nice if they could keep a eating establishment at one of the marinas. Maybe they get all those pedestrian trails completed they can fund something.

The main river is Little Platte River and I live in Platte County. Does that count. [emoji3]

Bought my season pass a few weeks ago. It was $100 for a season pass with paid property tax receipt. Its already paid for itself. Been fishing 8 times already. I used the honor box a few times. It is funny that they want you to have enough respect to pay if there is no attendent, but if you dont have change and over pay, they will not mail change. Seems kinda ironic. I could care less if they have a place to eat. I usually bring my own food. A fish cleaning station would be nice

The Corps of Engineers season pass went up to $40 this year as well. The attendant man at Litton Visitor Center was a really helpful guy. He gave me hard copy maps of the brush piles the last several years. He said they are going to only use hardwood brush piles from now on- oak and hedge, and not Christmas trees. Some fish cleaning stations would be nice, and a restaurant would be nice, if they could make it work on it's own merit and profitability. I am a big proponent of helping local businesses around lakes make a go of it by patronizing them when possible.

I fished Smithville once.

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Originally Posted by TwainGang

How could they ticket people last fall? I had a permit I kept in my wallet to be shown when entering a ramp lot No way for them to know I had that since I didn't give them my license plate number or anything when I bought my yearly permit.

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Your right pass is in my glove box , Keep in mind if they wrote a ticket and put it on your windshield it would be up to you to show your pass , what I heard they were warnings. They didn't do it every nite or day.

I have purchased a season pass for a few years but I think last years pass was the last.
I can pay a lot of ramp fees at Truman with those $$$. Probably have enough to buy some minners too.

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Originally Posted by TwainGang

How could they ticket people last fall? I had a permit I kept in my wallet to be shown when entering a ramp lot No way for them to know I had that since I didn't give them my license plate number or anything when I bought my yearly permit.

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They do have a copy of your drivers license. Also, has anyone even talked to a ranger yet or is this just speculating. Sounds like to me if you park at the docks, you will have a have a pass period. Which to me is crap. If I see him, there is a ranger that lives a couple of doors down from me. Unless someone just wants to call and talk to a ranger.

I would like to see them go back to the window stickers like to used to use. That way I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to hang it on my mirror. Slip holders get their pass free with the slip, or used to anyway. Looks like it will be much less crowded with the $28 a day fee this year.

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Originally Posted by love2fish

I would like to see them go back to the window stickers like to used to use. That way I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to hang it on my mirror. Slip holders get their pass free with the slip, or used to anyway. Looks like it will be much less crowded with the $28 a day fee this year.

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We drive the lake alot this way I can use it in either car or truck.

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Originally Posted by got crappie

We drive the lake alot this way I can use it in either car or truck.

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Yeah- I like the versatility of a hang tag. I have to use a hang tag for Corps lakes anyway, so this way it is just a matter of which take to hang. I was taking to a guy on the Little Platte docks today and he told me the slips were $1800 a year. I would hope they threw in a lot pass for that! He was kind of ragging on the dock fishermen and wondering if they all actually had a slip rented or if they just pass the code around among themselves. I don't have a dog in that fight.

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Originally Posted by love2fish

Personally I don't mind the hang tag. Smithville is a nice lake close to home so it doesn't bother me to pay for yearly pass. Most other lakes in Missouri and Kansas uses hanging tags. I have the federal senior lifetime pass for $10 that lets me park at all Corp of Engineer lakes free!

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Smithville is a Corp lake and it doesn't work there

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Originally Posted by Hookin'&Cookin'

Smithville is a Corp lake and it doesn't work there

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I was wondering how someone got on Smithville for $10 a year. LOL! I thought the senior discounted price, at least in years past, was still $90-probably an even hundred by now.

It's bad enough with all of the da## taxes I have to pay, now they want my lunch money too.

Smithville is ran by the Clay county parks and recreation department even though the water is controlled by the Corp of engineers. One of a few lakes like that. Seniors can buy a federal lifetime pass for $10 that covers most all corp. lakes in the United states, with Smithville being one of a few exceptions. The pass gives you free access to boat ramps and discounts on camping. I have to buy a non county resident senior pass for $100 to launch and park on Smithville.