Special Waterbody Regulations

Mainstem and its tributaries, except as noted below: 

Daily and possession limit: Black bass: 12 fish including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

Size limit: Spotted bass: None

From the Council Bluff Lake Dam to the Meramec River: 

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

Size limit: Smallmouth bass: minimum 15 inches

Mainstem and its tributaries:
Spotted bass: No length limits
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.

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

Length limits: Smallmouth bass—minimum 15”

Daily limit: Black bass—6, may include only 1 smallmouth bass.

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