Fishing Seasons

Bass: White, Yellow, Striped & Hybrids

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Daily and possession limits are combination of white, yellow and striped bass and their hybrids.

Limits

Daily limit: 15
Possession limit: 30
Size limit: You may keep up to four fish longer than 18” per day.

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Black Bass: From Impoundments

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Limits

Daily limit: 6
Possession limit: 12
Size limit: none

Daily and possession limits are combination of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.

These regulations apply to impounded lakes, streams, and rivers.  Some areas have additional specific regulations.  Check area regulations.

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Black Bass: Non-Ozark Streams

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

These regulations apply to streams not defined as Ozark streams. View map of streams.

Limits

Daily limit: 6
Possession limit: 12
Size limit: minimum 12 inches

Daily and possession limits are combination of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.

Limits apply on all waters unless there are area specific regulations. Check area regulations.

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Catfish (Blue)

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 5
Possession limit: 10
Size limit: none

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Catfish (Channel)

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 10
Possession limit: 20
Size limit: none

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Catfish (Flathead)

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 5
Possession limit: 10
Size limit: none

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Crappie (Black and White)

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 30
Possession limit: 60
Size limit: None

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Goggle-Eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 15
Possession limit: 30
Size limit: minimum 7"

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Muskellunge

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations. Check area regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike
Possession limit: 2
Size limit: minimum 36"

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Mussels and Clams

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Mussels listed in the Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist may not be taken or possessed.

Daily and possession limits do not apply to Asiatic clams.

Two shell halves (valves) shall be considered 1 mussel or clam.

Limits

Daily limit: 5, combined total of all species (except Asian clams, which may be taken and possessed in any number). This limit applies to live and dead animals.
Possession limit: 10

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Mississippi, Missouri, St Francis Rivers

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

24 hours

Notes

Applies to bowfishing in portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Streams

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to midnight

Notes

Applies to bowfishing in streams, except portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Temporary Overflow

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

Applies to bowfishing in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Crossbow: Impounded Waters and Temporary Overflow

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

Applies to crossbow fishing in impounded waters and bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a crossbow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via crossbow, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Temporary Overflow

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

Applies to gigging in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a git/atlatl. If you have taken 20 nongame species via git/atlatl, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Line Methods

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

24 hours

Notes

Applies to fishing in streams and impounded waters.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100
Possession limit: 100

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using another nongame fishing method. If you have taken 20 nongame species via another nongame fishing method, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp ;that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods

Nongame Fish: Line: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and line

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp can be taken by hand net.

Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing: Temporary Overflow

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

Applies to snagging/grabbing in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing. If you have take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Underwater Spear: Impounded Waters and Temporary Overflow

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Notes

Applies to underwater spear fishing in impounded waters and bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using an underwater spear. If you have taken 20 nongame species via underwater spear, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods

Nongame Fish: Spear

Methods

Speargun

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp can be taken by hand net.

Learn more about the species

Northern Pike

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Limits

Daily limit: 1 muskellunge or 1 northern pike
Possession limit: 2
Size limit: None

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Pickerel

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Limits

Daily limit: 6
Possession limit: 12
Length limit: None

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Shovelnose Sturgeon

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 10
Possession limit: 20
Length limit: 30 inch maximum

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Trout Areas

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Limits

Daily limit: 4
Possession limit: 8
Length limit: No size limit on rainbow trout; 15 inch minimum for brown trout in streams
Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations.

Permit Notes

Permit required to possess trout, except in trout parks where a daily tag is required. This permit is also required for all winter fishing in trout parks (catch-and-release) and for harvesting trout or fishing at Lake Taneycomo upstream from the US Hwy 65 bridge.

Methods

Trout: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and line

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Some areas have additional tackle restrictions. Learn about special area fishing regulations.

Learn more about the species

Turtles (Common Snapping)

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Alligator snapping turtles are an endangered species, and it is illegal to hunt or collect them. Learn to identify alligator snapping turtles.

Limits

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 4

Limits are combined total of all species

Methods

Turtles: Allowed Methods

Methods

Hand

Hand net

Bow

Crossbow

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Snagging

Snaring

Grabbing

Pole and line

Turtles: Prohibited Methods

Methods

Firearms

You may not possess night vision or thermal imagery equipment while carrying a firearm, bow, or other implement used to take wildlife.

Learn more about the species

Walleye and Sauger

Season Open
Dates
January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Hours

From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger can be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise and 1/2 after sunset. This restriction applies to all streams, except the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Notes

Limits apply on all waters except on areas with special regulations.

Limits

Daily limit: 4
Possession limit: 8
Length limit: minimum 15"

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

Methods

Pole and Line

Trotline

Limb Line

Bank Line

Jug Line

Additional Info

Ice fishing tackle, or tip-ups, are considered a pole-and-line method.

Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Impounded Waters

Season Open
Dates
April 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
February 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to midnight from February 1 to March 31.

Notes

Applies to bowfishing in impounded waters.

Alligator gar are a protected species in Missouri. It is illegal to take and possess them.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species