PURPOSE: This amendment removes 18” minimum length limit and reverts to statewide fishing regulations at St. Louis (Hyde Park Lake) and St. Louis (North Riverfront Park Lake).
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Title 3—DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Division 10—Conservation Commission
Chapter 12—Wildlife Code: Special Regulations for Areas Owned by Other Entities
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Proposed Amendment
(2) Black bass more than twelve inches (12") but less than fifteen inches (15") total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught, except as follows:
(B) Black bass less than eighteen inches (18") total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught on the following lakes:
1. Ballwin (New Ballwin Park Lake, Vlasis Park Lake);
2. Columbia (Twin Lakes);
3. Fenton (Preslar Lake, Upper Fabick Lake, Westside Park Lake);
4. Ferguson (January-Wabash Lake);
5. Jennings (Koeneman Park Lake);
6. Kirkwood (Walker Lake);
7. Overland (Wild Acres Park Lake);
8. Sedalia Water Department (Spring Fork Lake);
9. St. Ann (Gendron Lake);
10. St. Charles (Fountain Lakes Pond, Kluesner Lake, Moore Lake, Skate Park Lake);
11. St. Joseph (Corby Pond);
12. St. Louis (Benton Park Lake, Boathouse Lake, Fairgrounds Park Lake, Horseshoe Lake, [Hyde Park Lake,] Jefferson Lake, Lafayette Park Lake, [North Riverfront Park Lake,] O’Fallon Park Lake, North Lake, South Lake);
13. St. Louis County (Bee Tree Park Lake, Blackjack Lake, Carp Lake, Creve Coeur Park Lake, Fountain Lake, Island Lake, Jarville Lake, Simpson Park Lake, Spanish Lake, Sunfish Lake, Tilles Park Lake);
14. Union (Union City Lake); and
15. Wentzville (Community Club Lake, Heartland Lake)[;].
AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* This rule previously filed as 3 CSR 10-4.116. Original rule filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. For intervening history, please consult the Code of State Regulations. Amended: Filed October 3, 2025.
PUBLIC ENTITY COST: This proposed amendment will not cost state agencies or political subdivisions more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.
PRIVATE ENTITY COST: This proposed amendment will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.
NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with Regulations Committee Chairman, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or via the department’s website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.