Missouri Department of Conservation
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Fishing Regulations

What's New in 2013

  • On Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes and their tributaries, only three striped bass may be included in the aggregate daily limit, and all striped bass less than 20 inches long must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. See Special Area Fishing Regulations below.
  • There is a new boundary for bow fishing below the Clarence Cannon Reregulation Pool Dam. See the Salt River entry in Special Area Fishing Regulations below.

2013 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations

Missouri's 2013 fishing regulations come into effect March 1, 2013, and remain in effect through February 28, 2014. More

Do Not Harvest List

The "Do Not Harvest" list protects rare, threatened and endangered native Missouri fish. More

Fish ID and Measuring

Learn to identify and measure the fish and other aquatic life you catch so you can abide by Missouri's seasons, daily limits, length limits, and other regulations. When in doubt, play it safe, and return the fish to the water unharmed immediately. More

Fishing Permit Information

Everyone who fishes in Missouri must have the appropriate lifetime, annual, or daily fishing permit, or qualify for an exemption. Browse Missouri fishing permit rules and obligations. More

Game Fish Regulations

Find out specific regulations and permit requirements for a variety of Missouri's game fish. More

General Fishing Rules

Check this section for Missouri's rules on fishing methods, length limits, jug-line regulations, possession limits, culling and transportation. More

Live Bait Regulations

Bullfrog
Know Missouri's live-bait regulations, including species, methods, length limits, seasons and daily limits. More

Nongame Fish Regulations

Missouri's nongame fish include bluegill, green sunfish, carp, carpsuckers, suckers, buffalo, drum, gar and all other species other than those defined as game fish or listed as endangered. More

Nongame Species Regulations

Know the regulations for some of Missouri's nongame clams, frogs and turtles. More

Reciprocal Fishing Privileges

Fishing privileges on boundary waters between Missouri and an adjoining state are mutually agreed upon by the two states. Know which state you're fishing in and the regulations that apply. More

Regulations and Permits Definitions

Knowing regulations and permits definitions helps you abide by the Wildlife Code of Missouri. More

Special Area Fishing Regulations

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. More

St. Louis Region Lakes Special Fishing Regulations

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. More

Truman Reservoir and Lake of the Ozarks Blue Catfish Regulation Changes Proposed

Comment on proposed protective regulations aimed to build better blue cats on Truman Reservoir and Lake Ozark. More

Why "No" to Noodling?

Agent Eric Abbott with flathead caught by illegal handfishing
Hand-fishing has been illegal in Missouri since 1919, yet efforts to legalize it continue. This page explains why the Missouri Department of Conservation opposes hand-fishing. More

Porous-Soled Wader Ban

To prevent the spread of didymo, an invasive alga, the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo and buffer areas. More

MDC Resources

Related Information

  • Disabled-Accessible Outdoors

    This downloadable booklet lists MDC owned/affiliated public areas around Missouri that have ADA-compliant facilities.

  • Porous-Soled Wader Ban

    To prevent the spread of didymo, an invasive alga, the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo and buffer areas.

  • Free Fishing Days

    Try Missouri fishing without having to buy a permit or tackle during Free Fishing Days the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.

  • Guidelines for Handling and Releasing Fish

    These catch-and-release tips help Missouri fish live to fight another day.

  • Missouri Stream Team

    Love Missouri's rivers and streams? Join or start a Stream Team, and enjoy the satisfaction of taking care of a local waterway.

  • Only three-hooked lures allowed on Alabama rigs in Missouri

    Alabama or umbrella rigs are legal to use in Missouri only if no more than three lures or baits with hooks are attached to each rig.

  • Operation Game Thief

    Stop wildlife poachers in Missouri! Remain anonymous. Reward possible. Program 1-800-392-1111 into your cell phone—so you can act fast!

  • Permits

    Before you hunt or fish this season, make sure to buy your Missouri hunting and fishing permits.

  • Point System for Wildlife Code Violations

    When you violate the Wildlife Code, the state assesses points against your hunting, trapping or fishing permits. You can lose your hunting, trapping and fishing privileges if you're assessed too many points.

  • Protect Missouri’s Fishing

    Learn simple things you can do to protect Missouri’s waters from aquatic invaders, read up on fishing ethics and safety, browse fishing management plans, and find wader-washing stations.

  • Regulations and Permits Definitions

    Knowing regulations and permits definitions helps you abide by the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

  • Sport Fish Restoration: Where Money Does Buy Happiness

    Missouri uses its share of a federal excise tax on fishing and boating equipment to improve angling.

  • Wildlife Code of Missouri

    The Wildlife Code of Missouri is available online as part of the Code of State Regulations and is published by the Missouri Secretary of State. Printed versions are available at permit vendors statewide.

External Links

  • Report Stream Pollution

    To report a chemical spill in Missouri, call the Department of Natural Resource's 24-hour environmental emergency hotline at 573-634-2436.

  • Video: Treating Felt-soled Waders

    Tips to treat felt-soled waders to help prevent the spread of didymo into Missouri.

Other Content You May Like

  • Fish for Free!

    Here’s a trivia question. Name three ways a person can legally fish in Missouri without purchasing a fishing permit.

  • Turtle Regulations

    Browse Missouri turtle regulations for methods, seasons, limits and species on the Do Not Harvest list.

  • Jug Line Regulations

    Find out what you need to jug fish legally in Missouri.

  • General Fishing Methods

    Find out what methods of fishing are allowed in Missouri.

  • Live Bait Basics

    When fishing with kids, take the natural path to success.

  • 2004 Wildlife Code Changes

    Each year, the Regulations Committee for the Missouri Department of Conservation reviews all the rules in the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

  • Angler caught over limit at Jackson’s Rotary Lake

    An angler’s daily limit for trout at Rotary Lake is four, which means that a person cannot catch and keep more than four trout on any given day. The possession limit for trout is eight, which means that an angler can possess no more than eight trout at any time.

Lookup Regulations
Check the Code

This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year. Refer to the Wildlife Code.

Keep ATVs out of streams!

It’s illegal to drive ATVs in Missouri’s streams unless …

  • You’re a landowner or lessee on land you own or lease.
  • You’re a farm worker.

AND

  • You’re using your ATV on a crossing that is part of the highway system.

Violators could lose their fishing and hunting privileges!

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MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.

We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

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MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

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