Catfish: Permits

2026 Fishing Summary Cover

Permits

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Fishing Permit
Limits

Limits and methods vary by species, season, and fishing area.

Notes

For fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, and live bait.

Costs
  • Resident
    $14.00
  • Nonresident
    $57.00
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Limits

Limits are set for each species and hunting or trapping season. Check the species and season listings for information about limits.

Notes

This permit allows you to fish or hunt frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, live bait, birds (except turkey), and mammals (except deer). Missouri residents may sell furbearers taken by hunting.

Trout: In addition to this permit, a daily trout fishing tag required in trout parks, and a trout permit is required for waters outside of trout parks.

Furbearers: Nonresidents may not take furbearers with this permit, but they may chase furbearers for training dogs during the closed season. They must purchase a Furbearer Hunting and Trapping permit.

Doves, Snipe, Woodcock, Rails: In addition to this permit, you need a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit for hunting doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.

Waterfowl: In addition to this permit, you need a federal duck stamp and a Migratory Bird Hunting Permit to hunt teal, coots, ducks, and geese.

Conservation Order: The Hunting and Fishing permit does not apply to the Conservation Order. A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting blue, snow, and Ross’s geese during the Conservation Order.

Costs
  • Resident
    $22.50
Daily Fishing Permit
Limits

Limits vary by species, season, and fishing area.

Notes

For fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, and live bait. May be purchased by residents and nonresidents for multiple days.

Costs
  • Resident
    $9.00
  • Nonresident
    $9.00
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Notes

This permit carries the same privileges as the Resident Hunting and Fishing Permit, Trout Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Conservation Order Permit. Deer and turkey hunting privileges are not included. A Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl.

You must be a Missouri resident to purchase this permit.

This permit is not available online or from permit vendors. Use the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit Order Form to request this permit.

Costs
  • Youth (0-15)
    $640.00
  • Age 16-29
    $930.50
  • Age 30-39
    $814.50
  • Age 40-59
    $698.00
  • Age 60-64
    $81.50
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Notes

This permit carries the same privileges as the Resident Fishing Permit and the Trout Permit.

You must be a Missouri resident to purchase this permit. 

This permit is not available online or from permit vendors. Use the Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit Order Form to request this permit.

Missouri residents 65 and older are exempt from needing a fishing permit, but can purchase this as a lifetime trout permit.

Costs
  • Youth (0-15)
    $320.00
  • Age 16-29
    $465.50
  • Age 30-39
    $407.00
  • Age 40-59
    $349.00
  • Age 60-64
    $40.50
Military Reduced Cost Permit
Notes

Reduced cost Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permits are for Missouri residents who are currently (or have in the last 12 months) mobilized and serving on full-time active military duty in the National Guard (federal status) or reserve forces of the United States.

This permit allows them to take fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, live bait, birds (except turkey), mammals (except deer), and to sell furbearers taken by hunting.

Application Requirements:

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1967, is required to be hunter education certified. A copy of your hunter education certificate must be included with the application. (Military training and certification do not apply.) A copy of orders reflecting mobilization dates must be submitted with the application.

In addition to this permit:

  • A Trout Permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where you must purchase a daily trout fishing tag.
  • A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit also is required for hunting waterfowl, doves, snipe, woodcock, and rails.
  • A Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl.
  • A Conservation Order Permit is required for hunting snow, blue, and Ross’s geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

​Complete and send the application form to:

Missouri Department of Conservation
Attn: Permit Services – Military Honors Permit
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Please allow 10 days after submitting your application for your permit to arrive.

This permit is not available for purchase at vendors, by telephone, or online.

Some military may hunt and fish without a permit. Check permit exemptions to learn more.

Costs
  • Resident
    $5.50
White River Border Lakes Permit
Notes

The White River Border Lakes Permit is valid from date of purchase through the last day of February.

Allows Missouri and Arkansas residents to pursue, take, possess (except trout) and transport fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, and live bait from the other state’s portion of the impounded waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without purchasing a Nonresident Fishing Permit. You must possess a fishing permit, or qualify for an exemption, issued by your state of residence.

This permit is only for Missouri and Arkansas residents.

Costs
  • Resident
    $10.00
  • Resident Landowner
    $10.00