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.

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.

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

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”

Current River (White 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.

From Cedar Grove to the Arkansas line: Nongame fish—The daily limit may include no more than 5 hogsuckers.

Downstream from Cedar Grove Bridge crossing - 7.7 miles: White Ribbon Trout Area

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

Huzzah Creek

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries:

Length limit: Spotted bass—none
Daily limit: 12 fish and including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

From Willhite Road in Crawford County to the Meramec River:

Length limit: Goggle-eye—minimum 8”

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.

Meramec River

Restrictions

Black bass: 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 and Phelps counties:

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.

From Highway 8 bridge to Scott's Ford and in Dry Fork Creek from the elevated cable crossing to its confluence with the Meramec River - 8.2 miles:

Red Ribbon Trout Area, see restrictions below.

From Highway 8 bridge to the railroad crossing at Bird’s Nest:

Length limit: Smallmouth bass: 15 inch minimum.

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

From Highway 19 bridge in Dent County to Pacific Palisades Conservation Area:
Length limit: Goggle-eye: 8 inch minimum

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

Niangua River

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.

From Bennett Spring Branch to Prosperine Access - 11.5 miles of stocked stream: 

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

Norfork Lake

Restrictions

Lakewide:

Daily limit:
Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these species
Crappie: 15

Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 15” on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12” on spotted bass
Crappie: minimum 10”

On the lake and its tributaries:

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”
White bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids: none

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.