Fishing Regulations
A permissive code ensures fair, uncomplicated access to fishing
Missouri’s fishing regulations aim to improve and maintain the quality of fishing, ensuring that everyone has an equal chance of catching fish, while protecting fisheries resources.
The Wildlife Code of Missouri is a permissive code. This means that you may take or attempt to take only those species of fish and other aquatic wildlife permitted by the Code, and only by those methods, and only at the times and under the circumstances mentioned. As one angler put it: “If they don’t say you can, you can’t!”
A permissive code means that rather than giving you an endless list of “thou shalt nots,” we keep it simple by telling you what you may do. The reason for this is to make access to Missouri fishing as fair and as uncomplicated as possible.
Get to know Missouri’s fishing regulations
This section includes the latest Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, the “Do Not Harvest” list, general fishing provisions, live bait regulations, non-game species regulations, special area fishing regulations and sport fish regulations.
This annually updated booklet in includes 2012 fishing regulations, permits, general rules, fishing areas, live bait and an illustrated guide to Missouri's sport fish that take effect March 1.
This annually updated booklet (PDF) includes 2011 fishing regulations, permits, general rules, fishing areas, live bait and an illustrated guide to Missouri's sport fish.
The "Do Not Harvest" list protects rare, threatened and endangered native Missouri fish.
Learn the general fishing regulations enforced in Missouri.
Interested in using live bait? Find out the regulations for using live bait.
Learn what regulations are in place for some of Missouri's non-game fish species.
Most public fishing areas at large reservoirs, lakes, rivers, streams and trout areas have methods, seasons, limits or other fishing regulations that are different from the statewide rules. These special regulations are summarized here.
Find out specific regulations for a variety of Missouri's game fish.
Download and print these special regulations for August A. Busch Conservation Area Lakes, St. Louis Urban Fishing Program Lakes and MDC and Community Assistance Program (CAP) Lakes.
