Special Waterbody Regulations

Waterbody Lookup

Displaying 1 - 12 of 12

Current River (Blue Ribbon)

Restrictions

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

Mainstem and its tributaries: Walleye and sauger—18” minimum length limit

In Dent, Texas and Shannon counties: The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

River and its tributaries from lower boundary of Montauk State Park to Cedar Grove Bridge - 9 miles: Blue Ribbon Trout Area

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.

Dry Fork Creek

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries:
Length limit: Spotted bass—No minimum length limit.
Daily limit: Black bass—12 fish including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

In Crawford and Phelps counties:
The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

In Crawford and Phelps counties from the elevated cable crossing to the Meramec River:
Part of the Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area, see restrictions below.

In Phelps and Dent counties, upstream from the elevated cable crossing:
Length Limit: Trout minimum—15 inch
Daily limit: Trout—2

Area Type

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (Artificial Lures)

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (Artificial Lures)
Fish Image
Red Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

They provide catch-and-release fishing and a chance to harvest quality-size trout.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: At least 15"
Daily Limit: 2
Authorized Lures: Artificial lures and flies

Lake of the Ozarks

Restrictions

Lakewide:

Area note:
Nongame fish: Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.

Daily limit:
Crappie: 15

Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 15” for largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12” for spotted bass
Crappie: minimum 9”

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit:
Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.
Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Length limit:
Paddlefish: minimum 34” body length, measured from eye to fork of tail
Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Within 525 feet on the left descending bank and 977 feet on the right descending bank below Truman Dam in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ restricted zone:

Area note: No fishing is allowed.

From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam throughout the no-boating zone (look for signs and buoys):

Area note: Paddlefish may not be possessed.

From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65:

Prohibited methods: Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.

Mark Twain Lake

Restrictions

Length limits: Black bass: minimum 15”
Blue and flathead catfish: minimum 26"

Daily limit: Crappie: 15

Mississippi River (lower)

Restrictions

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including

  • 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 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.

Montauk 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 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

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.

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.

Osage River

Restrictions

Within 225 feet below Bagnell Dam:
No fishing is allowed, except live bait may be taken by dip net and throw net only.

From the no-fishing zone below Bagnell Dam to U.S. Highway 54:
Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.

From U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River:
Snagging, snaring and grabbing for nongame fish are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.
No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

St. Francis River

Restrictions

Above Wappapello Dam, from the lake and its tributaries including the St. Francis River and its tributaries:
Size limit: Walleye and sauger — minimum 18”

Within 225 feet below Wappapello Dam:
No fishing is allowed.

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

Within that part of the river that forms a boundary between Arkansas and Missouri
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in the flowing portions.

Truman Lake

Restrictions

Lakewide

Daily limit:
Crappie: 15

Size limit:
Black bass: minimum 15" length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" length limit on spotted bass.
Crappie: minimum 9"

Allowed methods:
Nongame fish: Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.

On the lake and its tributaries

Daily limit:
Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit, with not more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Size limit:
Paddlefish: minimum 34" body length, measured from eye to fork of tail
Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Prohibited Methods: No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Wappapello Lake

Restrictions

Daily Limit:
Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.

On the lake and its tributaries including the St. Francis River and its tributaries above Wappapello Dam
Length limit: Walleye and sauger: minimum 18”