Special Waterbody Regulations

Waterbody Lookup

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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.

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

Lakes 21 and 7 (August A. Busch CA)

Restrictions

Trout permits are required if trout are kept.

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.
Flies, artificial lures, and unscented soft plastic baits only.
Only 1 pole may be used.
Use of chum is prohibited.

February 1 - October 31: You must stop fishing for all species after having 4 trout in possession.

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.

Lakes 3, 22 and 23 (August A. Busch CA)

Restrictions

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.

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.

Mississippi River (middle)

Restrictions

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.

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

North Fork of the White 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.

Upper outlet of Rainbow Spring to Patrick Bridge - 8.6 miles:  Blue Ribbon Trout Area, see restrictions below.

Unimpounded river and its tributaries from Patrick Bridge to Norfork Lake - 7.0 miles:  Red 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.

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (All Lures)

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (All 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: All

Rotary Lake (Jackson)

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.