Mississippi River

Restrictions

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including

  • Pools 20-26,
  • the temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City,
  • and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26
Paddlefish: The open season is March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.
Nongame fish: Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through May 15 and from Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.

Daily limits:
Channel catfish and blue catfish: The daily and possession limit is 20, combined total of these species.
Flathead catfish: The daily and possession limit is 10 fish.
Walleye and sauger: The daily and possession limit is 8, combined total of both species.
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: The daily and possession limit is 30, combined total of these species.
Nongame fish: The daily and possession limit is 100, combined total of these species, except that bighead carp, common carp, goldfish, grass carp and silver carp may be taken and possessed in any number.

Length limits:
Black bass: minimum 12”
Walleye and sauger: None
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: None

Allowed methods:
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in all flowing portions, except in Sand Chute below the mouth of the Salt River in Pike County where they may only be taken by bow from sunrise to midnight.
Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler
Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

Temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.

Temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.