Special Waterbody Regulations

Waterbody Lookup

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Barren Fork Creek

Restrictions

In Shannon County
The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

County Road A-D to Sinking Creek - 3.2 miles.
Blue Ribbon Trout Area: see restrictions below.

Area Type

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Fish Image
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

Harvest is limited to maintain the maximum density of adult trout, create excellent catch-and-release fishing, and provide the occasional chance to harvest a trophy. These areas on the Current and North Fork of the White rivers are stocked with brown trout, and the Eleven Point River is stocked with rainbows.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: At least 18"
Daily Limit: 1
Authorized Lures: Artificial lures and flies

Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species.
Gigging, bowfishing, and using an atlatl are prohibited, and fish taken by these methods may not be possessed on these waters or their banks.

Bennett Spring State Park

Restrictions

Unless exempt, you need fishing permit as well as a daily trout tag from March 1 to October 31. The daily trout tag is $5 for adults and $3 for youth 15 and younger. Trout tags and permits can be purchased at the park.

During the November through February catch-and-release season the annual trout permit replaces the daily trout tag.

November 10, 2023 - February 12, 2024
Trout fishing is allowed from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm CST, Fridays through Mondays.
Catch-and-release fishing only.  (Fishing permit and annual trout permit required.)
Allowed lures: flies only

March 1 - October 31
Daily limit: 4 of all species combined. You must stop fishing after have 8 trout in your possession.

Fishing Times
March 1 - October 31
MonthBeginEnd
March6:30 am CST
7:30 am CDT
6:00 pm CST
7:00 pm CDT
April7:00 am7:30 pm
May6:30 am8:15 pm
June/July6:30 am8:30 pm
August7:00 am8:00 pm
September7:30 am7:15 pm
October7:30 am6:30 pm

Allowed lures: Flies, artificial lures, or soft plastic baits, depending on zone. See the Bennett Spring Hatchery area map for details.

Methods:

  • Not more than one pole and line may be used by one person at any time.
  • Gigging, snaring, snagging, and the taking of live bait are prohibited.
  • Some waters are posted as restricted to specific baits or lures.
  • The use of any foods to attract fish, except when placed on a hook, is prohibited.

Fishing zones, allowed methods, and regulations vary. Ask for additional information when you purchase your tag.

 

Bennett Spring State Park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Monday.

Area Type

Name
Trout Parks

Name
Trout Parks
Fish Image
Trout Park
Area Information

Several of the onsite fish hatcheries offer visitor centers and displays and tours.

Beuth Park Lake (Moberly)

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Year-round: Statewide trout methods and limits.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Big River

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries, except as noted below: 

Daily and possession limit: Black bass: 12 fish including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

Size limit: Spotted bass: None

From the Council Bluff Lake Dam to the Meramec River: 

Daily and possession limit: 12 black bass including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species, may include only 1 smallmouth bass

Size limit: Smallmouth bass: minimum 15 inches

Black River

Restrictions

Within the wing walls of Clearwater Dam:
No fishing is allowed.

Within 700 feet below the spillway walls of Clearwater Dam:
Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bowfishing, gigging and atlatls are prohibited.

Blue Springs Creek

Restrictions

Black bass: The daily and possession limit is 12 fish and may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

Spotted bass: No minimum length limit.

In Crawford County

The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.
While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

In Crawford County from Blue Springs to the Meramec River - 4 miles.

Blue Ribbon Trout Area: see restrictions below.

Area Type

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Fish Image
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

Harvest is limited to maintain the maximum density of adult trout, create excellent catch-and-release fishing, and provide the occasional chance to harvest a trophy. These areas on the Current and North Fork of the White rivers are stocked with brown trout, and the Eleven Point River is stocked with rainbows.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: At least 18"
Daily Limit: 1
Authorized Lures: Artificial lures and flies

Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species.
Gigging, bowfishing, and using an atlatl are prohibited, and fish taken by these methods may not be possessed on these waters or their banks.

Blue Springs Lake

Restrictions

Length limit: Black bass: minimum 15"
Allowed methods: Pole and line fishing only, except that shad may be taken by dip net or throw net.

Boathouse Lake

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

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.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Bourbeuse River

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries:
Spotted bass: No length limits
Black bass: The daily and possession limit is 12 fish and may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

Bull Shoals Lake

Restrictions

Lakewide: Ozark and Taney
Daily limit:

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species
Crappie: 15 fish
Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass
Crappie: 10" minimum

On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas
Daily limit:

Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate

Length limit:
Walleye and sauger: minimum 18"
Striped bass: minimum 20"
There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids.

In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney
From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney
Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

Cape Girardeau City (Capaha Park Lake)

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits allowed by state regulations, except during the dates listed below.

November 1 - January 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.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Capitol Federal Sports Complex

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Year-round: statewide trout methods and limits. Only 3 poles may be used.

Length limits: Black bass: minimum 15 inches 

Daily limits: 

Black bass: 2

Bluegill: 10

Trout: 4

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Capps Creek

Restrictions

The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

4 miles upstream from its junction with Shoal Creek: White Ribbon Trout area, see restrictions below.

Area Type

Name
White Ribbon Trout Area

Name
White Ribbon Trout Area
Fish Image
White Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

Coldwater streams capable of supporting trout populations year-round. All receive periodic stockings of rainbow trout, and some also receive brown trout. They provide great opportunities for catching and harvesting trout and the occasional chance to harvest a large trout.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: Rainbows -- none; Browns -- at least 15"
Daily Limit: 4
Authorized Lures: All

Carp Lake

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

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.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Chaumiere Lake

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Year-round: statewide trout methods and limits. Only 3 poles may be used.

Daily limits: Trout 4 

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Cleveland Lake (Belton)

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

  • Statewide limits
  • Only 3 poles may be used.
Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Coot Lake

Restrictions

Year-round: statewide trout methods and limits. Only 3 poles may be used.

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Cosmo-Bethel Lake

Restrictions

You must have a trout permit to keep trout during other times of the year.

Trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits, except during the dates listed below.

November 1 - January 31:

Catch-and-release only for trout.
Only flies, artificial lures and unscented soft plastic baits are allowed.

Area Type

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area

Name
Winter Trout Fishing Area
Fish Image
Winter Trout Area
Area Information

Fishing is permitted year-round during normal park or area hours. Unless indicated in the area rules, trout may be taken by pole and line using all types of lures and baits under statewide limits. A trout permit is required to keep trout.

Courtois Creek

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries:
Daily limit:
 Black bass: 12 fish, including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species
Length limit: Spotted bass: None

From Highway 8 bridge in Crawford County to Huzzah Creek:
Length limit:
Goggle-eye: minimum 8”