Special Area Fishing Regulations
Most public fishing areas have methods, seasons, limits or other fishing regulations that are different from the statewide rules. These special regulations are posted at the areas. It is your responsibility to know what regulations apply to the waters you are fishing. Please refer to area brochures, signs and bulletin boards before fishing these waters.
Special regulations on large reservoirs, rivers, streams and trout areas are summarized below. Special regulations also apply to the tributaries of some large reservoirs. These rules are listed under the name of the lake or stream. Statewide regulations apply unless otherwise indicated below.
Specific Fishing Regulations
January-Wabash Park Lake
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Year 'round:
You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Only 1 pole may be used.
- Use of chum is prohibited.
Jefferson Lake
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Catch and release only for trout
- Flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits only
- Only 1 pole may be used.
- Use of chum is prohibited.
Feb. 1 - Oct. 31:
- You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession.
Joachim Creek
From Jefferson County Highway V bridge to Highway A bridge:
- Smallmouth bass—15” minimum length limit. The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Kiwanis Lake
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Catch and release only for trout
- Flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits only
Koeneman Park Lake
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Catch and release only for trout
- Flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits only
- Only 1 pole may be used.
- Use of chum is prohibited.
Feb. 1 - Oct. 31:
- You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession.
Lake of the Ozarks
Lakewide:
- Black bass—15” minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass; 12” minimum length limit on spotted bass
- Crappie—9” minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit
- Nongame fish—Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.
On the lake and its tributaries:
- Paddlefish—34” minimum body length, measured from eye to fork of tail
- No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.
Within 525 feet on the left descending bank and 977 feet on the right descending bank below Truman Dam in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ restricted zone:
From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam throughout the no-boating zone (look for signs and buoys):
- Catfish—The daily limit of channel, blue and flathead catfish is 4, combined total of these three species, and only 1 may be more than 24” in total length.
- Paddlefish may not be possessed.
From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65:
- Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.
Lake Taneycomo
On the lake and its tributaries:
- Brown trout—20” minimum length limit; the daily limit of 4 trout, combined total of both species, may include only 1 brown trout.
Within 760 feet below Table Rock Dam:
From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek:
- Rainbow trout—12” to 20” slot length limit
- Pole and line fishing only
- Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species.
From the closed zone 760 feet below Table Rock Dam to U.S. Highway 65 bridge:
- Fishing permit (unless exempt) and a trout permit are required to fish for any species.
Lakes 21 and 28 (August A. Busch CA)
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Catch and release only for trout
- Flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits only
- Only 1 pole may be used.
- Use of chum is prohibited.
Feb. 1 - Oct. 31:
- You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession.
Lakes 3, 22 and 23 (August A. Busch CA)
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Year 'round:
You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Only 1 pole may be used.
- Use of chum is prohibited.
Liberty Park Pond
- Trout permits are required if trout are kept.
- Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.
Nov. 1 - Jan. 31:
- Catch and release only for trout
- Flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits only
