Fishing Regulations in Missouri
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Missouri fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Missouri requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available. Missouri also offers a daily fishing permit and a trout permit for fishing in designated trout areas. A separate trout stamp is required for trout fishing statewide.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | Regulations vary by water body. Always check current MDC regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 per day (combined with largemouth and spotted) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| spotted-bass | 6 per day (combined with other bass) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 15 per day | 9 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| blue-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 4 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| musky | 1 per day | 36 inches minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Regulations vary by water body. Always check current MDC regulations.
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with largemouth and spotted)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with other bass)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 15 per day
Size Limit: 9 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 4 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake of the Ozarks
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, blue-catfish, white-bass
Table Rock Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, smallmouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, white-bass
Stockton Lake
reservoirSpecies: walleye, largemouth-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, musky
Bull Shoals Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, smallmouth-bass, crappie, white-bass
Current River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, channel-catfish, bluegill
Truman Reservoir
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, blue-catfish
Mark Twain Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, bluegill, walleye
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 13 lbs 14 oz | 1961 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| smallmouth-bass | 7 lbs 2 oz | 2005 | Table Rock Lake |
| spotted-bass | 7 lbs 10 oz | 2015 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| blue-catfish | 130 lbs | 2010 | Missouri River |
| flathead-catfish | 77 lbs 8 oz | 2003 | Elk River |
| channel-catfish | 34 lbs 10 oz | 1976 | Lake of the Ozarks |
| walleye | 21 lbs 1 oz | 2013 | Stockton Lake |
| musky | 41 lbs 2 oz | 2015 | Pomme de Terre Lake |
| crappie | 5 lbs | 1969 | Private Pond |
| white-bass | 5 lbs 3 oz | 2010 | Lake of the Ozarks |