Bass Regulations

Valid Permits

• Daily Fishing Permit
• Nonresident Fishing Permit
• Resident Fishing Permit
• Resident Hunting and Fishing Permit

Season & Limits

Additional Information

Length Limits for Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted):

• From impoundments - none
• From streams - 12" minimum

Length Limits for White, yellow & striped & their hybrids

• no more than 4 longer than 18"

Limits apply to all waters except on areas that are posted with special regulations. Visit our Special Area Fishing Regulations page.

Season Notice

Black bass fishing and possession is open year ’round on the Mississippi River, all waters north of the south bank of the Missouri River, the St. Francis River downstream from Wappapello Dam and on streams in that portion of southeast Missouri bounded by a line from Cape Girardeau following Missouri highways 74 and 25, U.S. highways 60, 67 and 160, and the west bank of the Little Black River to the Arkansas state line. In the rest of the state referred to as the Ozarks, black bass from streams may not be possessed from March 1–May 21.