Missouri Department of Conservation

Fishing

Season	Dates	Hours	Limits/Notes
Bass: White, Yellow, Striped & Hybrids	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 15 Possession limit: 30 Size limit: You may keep up to four fish longer than 18” per day. + see more - show less Daily and possession limits are combination of white, yellow and striped bass and their hybrids.
Black Bass: From Impoundments	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 6 Possession limit: 12 Size limit: none Daily and possession limits are combination of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. These regulations apply to impounded lakes, streams, and rivers. Some areas have additional specific regulations. Check area regulations. + see more - show less
Black Bass: Non-Ozark Streams	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 6 Possession limit: 12 Size limit: minimum 12 inches Daily and possession limits are combination of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Limits apply on all waters unless there are area specific regulations. Check area regulations. + see more - show less These regulations apply to streams not defined as Ozark streams. View map of streams.
Black Bass: Ozark Streams	May 24, 2025 to February 28, 2026		Daily limit: 6 Possession limit: 12 Size limit: minimum 12" + see more - show less Limits apply on all Ozark streams, except those with more specific regulations. View map of streams.
Bullfrog and Green Frog: Fishing	June 30, 2025 to October 31, 2025	Season opens at sunset on opening day. Check sunrise and sunset times in your area.	Daily limit: 8 (combined total of both species) Possession limit: 16 + see more - show less Only the daily limit may be possessed on waters and banks of waters being fished or hunted.
Catfish (Blue)	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 5 Possession limit: 10 Size limit: none + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Catfish (Channel)	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 10 Possession limit: 20 Size limit: none + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Catfish (Flathead)	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 5 Possession limit: 10 Size limit: none + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Crappie (Black and White)	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 30 Possession limit: 60 Size limit: None + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Goggle-Eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 15 Possession limit: 30 Size limit: minimum 7" + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Muskellunge	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike Possession limit: 2 Size limit: minimum 36" + see more - show less Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.
Mussels and Clams	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025		Daily limit: 5, combined total of all species (except Asian clams, which may be taken and possessed in any number). This limit applies to live and dead animals. Possession limit: 10 + see more - show less Mussels listed in the Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist may not be taken or possessed. Daily and possession limits do not apply to Asiatic clams. Two shell halves (valves) shall be considered 1 mussel or clam.
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Impounded Waters	February 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026	Sunrise to midnight from February 1 to March 31.	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to bowfishing in impounded waters. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Mississippi, Missouri, St Francis Rivers	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	24 hours	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to bowfishing in portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Streams	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to midnight	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100 The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to bowfishing in streams, except portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Temporary Overflow	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to bowfishing in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Crossbow: Impounded Waters and Temporary Overflow	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a crossbow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via crossbow, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to crossbow fishing in impounded waters and bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Impounded Waters	February 16, 2025 to September 14, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a gig/atlatl. If you have taken 20 nongame species via gig/atlatl, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and it tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Streams and Impounded Waters	September 15, 2024 to February 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026	Sunrise to midnight	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a gig/atlatl. If you have taken 20 nongame species via gig/atlatl, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and it tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Temporary Overflow	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a git/atlatl. If you have taken 20 nongame species via git/atlatl, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to gigging in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Line Methods	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	24 hours	Daily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100 Possession limit: 100 The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using another nongame fishing method. If you have taken 20 nongame species via another nongame fishing method, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp ;that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to fishing in streams and impounded waters. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing: Streams and Impounded Waters	March 15, 2025 to May 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026	24 hours	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing. If you have taken 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30. On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing: Temporary Overflow	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing. If you have take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to snagging/grabbing in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Snaring: Streams and Impounded Waters	March 15, 2025 to May 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026	24 hours	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snaring. If you have taken 20 nongame species via snaring, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30. On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.
Nongame Fish: Underwater Spear: Impounded Waters and Temporary Overflow	January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025	Sunrise to sunset	Daily limit: 20 Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100. The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using an underwater spear. If you have taken 20 nongame species via underwater spear, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method. On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit. Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit. Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number. Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks. + see more - show less Applies to underwater spear fishing in impounded waters and bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch. Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.