Conservation Atlas
No matter where you live in Missouri, a great fishing getaway is close to home. Use the MDC Atlas to find public fishing areas by area name, county or region, natural feature, facility (boat docks, trails, etc.) or type of land cover (forest land, wetlands, etc.).
Opportunities
Missouri has over a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. From cold-water fly fishing for trout to trot-lining for monster catfish on Missouri's Big Rivers, Missouri has it all. Our waters hold ancient paddlefish, wary bass and tasty bluegill--over 200 different species in all. About 40 of those fish species are the targets of anglers. Detailed, specific information on where to fish, what to fish for, and how to catch it can be found in MDC's Fishing Prospects. A weekly fishing report provides up-to-date information on fishing conditions at your destination.
Regulations
You can buy a fishing permit on-line, over the phone, at any MDC office or from over a thousand vendors around the state. Trout permits are also available, and trout parks sell the required daily tags on site. The annual Fishing Regulations Summary is full of valuable fishing information, including how to identify and measure your catch, length limits, special area regulations, and state record catches. Guidelines for handling and releasing fish are available for those who choose to catch and release their fish. With so many great fishing opportunities close to home, there's always time for fishing!
Browse by Subject
- Seasons and regulations
- Find out about specific seasons and fishing regulations
- Fish and fishing
- Look here for information on fishing and the various species of fish in Missouri
- Streams and watersheds
- Details on streams and how to conserve them
- Lakes and ponds
- Information on how to manage a lake or pond
- Fish hatcheries
- Information on Conservation hatcheries and raising fish
- Aquatic resource education
- Educational resources regarding aquatic life
