Fishing Permits

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Permit Obligations

Accepting a permit means that you:

  • Agree to observe all the rules of the Wildlife Code of Missouri
  • Will not lend your permit to another
  • Will allow inspection of your permit, picture identification, catch, and equipment by an agent of the Conservation Department
  • Will carry your permit while fishing. If you ordered your permit by telephone or on the Internet and have not received it by mail, you must carry the permit authorization number and picture identification with you while fishing until your permit arrives.
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If you are a member of the U.S. military currently assigned as a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition Unit, or a military medical center, you now may take fish, live bait, clams, mussels, turtles, and frogs without permit. However, you still need a trout permit or daily tag in areas where prescribed. (You must carry orders showing assignment to a Warrior Transition Brigade or Warrior Transition Unit, or carry admission verification to a military medical center.)

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Any person—without permit or prescribed area daily fishing tag—may fish during Free Fishing Days. Also, a fishing permit is not required to fish privately stocked waters. On private licensed trout fishing areas, customers and guests may fish for trout without a permit.

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Permit Card

The Conservation Permit Card allows multiple permits to be carried on a single plastic card. New permits are automatically loaded onto your card.

Learn more about permit cards.

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
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $8.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $8.00
Limits

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

Notes

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

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $13.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $51.00
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
  • Demographic
    Youth (0-15)
    Price
    $591.00
  • Demographic
    Age 16-29
    Price
    $859.00
  • Demographic
    Age 30-39
    Price
    $752.00
  • Demographic
    Age 40-59
    Price
    $644.00
  • Demographic
    Age 60-64
    Price
    $75.00
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
  • Demographic
    Youth (0-15)
    Price
    $295.00
  • Demographic
    Age 16-29
    Price
    $430.00
  • Demographic
    Age 30-39
    Price
    $376.00
  • Demographic
    Age 40-59
    Price
    $322.00
  • Demographic
    Age 60-64
    Price
    $38.00
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
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $5.50
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
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $20.50
Notes

This permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where you must purchase a daily trout fishing tag.

A Trout Permit is required for all winter fishing in trout parks and for all fishing year-round in Lake Taneycomo upstream from U.S. Highway 65 bridge.

You must also have a fishing permit or qualify for an exemption.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $10.00
  • Demographic
    Nonresident
    Price
    $10.00
  • Demographic
    Youth (0-15)
    Price
    $5.00
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 permits is only for Missouri and Arkansas residents.

Costs
  • Demographic
    Resident
    Price
    $10.00
  • Demographic
    Resident Landowner
    Price
    $10.00