Fishing Seasons (by Species)

Check the Code

This is NOT a legal document. Regulations are subject to revision during the current year.

Refer to the Wildlife Code
2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations
Temperate Bass

Striped bass side view photo with black background

Bass: White, Yellow, Striped & Hybrids
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Black Bass

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Black Bass: Ozark Streams
  • May 27, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Notes

Limits apply on all Ozark streams, except those with more specific regulations. View map of streams.

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Black Bass: Non-Ozark Streams
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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.

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Black Bass: From Impoundments
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024

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.

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Catfish

Blue, channel, and flathead catfish

Catfish (Blue)
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Catfish (Channel)
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Catfish (Flathead)
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Frog

Image of American Bullfrog

Bullfrog and Green Frog: Fishing
  • June 30, 2024 to October 31, 2024
Hours

Season opens at sunset on opening day. Check sunrise and sunset times in your area.

Notes

Only the daily limit may be possessed on waters and banks of waters being fished or hunted.

Daily limit: 8 (combined total of both species)
Possession limit: 16

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Frog: Allowed Methods

.22 or smaller caliber rimfire rifle or pistol

Pellet gun

Bow

Crossbow

Atlatl

Hand or handnet

Gig

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Snagging

Snaring

Grabbing

Pole and line

Artificial lights

Frogs: Prohibited Methods

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

Crappie

black (top) and white (bottom) crappie

Crappie (Black and White)
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.

Goggle-eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth

Northern rock bass, or goggle-eye, side view photo with black background

Goggle-Eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth
  • January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

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

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

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Fishing: Allowed 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.