Special Waterbody Regulations

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

Year-round: Statewide trout methods and limits.

From Highway 17 to the Gasconade River:
Length limit: Goggle-eye: minimum 8"

From Slabtown Access to the Gasconade River:
Daily limit: 6 black bass including only 1 smallmouth bass.
Length limit: Smallmouth bass: minimum 15"

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

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 

From Highway Y in Pulaski County to Highway D in Phelps County

Length limits: Smallmouth bass—minimum 15"

Daily limit: 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

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

Between Smithville Dam and U.S. Highway 169:

Pole and line fishing only.
Paddlefish may not be possessed on the water or adjacent banks.

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including

• 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.

Daily Limit:
Black bass: 2
Crappie: 15

Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 18"

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.

Downstream from Roubidoux Spring to its junction with the Gasconade River - 3.1 miles:  White Ribbon Trout Area

Length limits:
Black bass: minimum 15”

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

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.

Entire Spring Branch - 0.3 mile: White Ribbon Area

Length limits
Black bass: minimum 15”
Hybrid striped bass: minimum 20”

Daily limit
Crappie: 15
Hybrid striped bass: 4