Fishing Seasons

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

Bass: White, Yellow, Striped & Hybrids

Season Open
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.

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Striped bass side view photo with black background
Temperate Bass
White, Yellow, Striped & Their Hybrids

Black Bass: From Impoundments

Season Open
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.

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Black Bass
Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Kentucky

Black Bass: Non-Ozark Streams

Season Open
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.

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Black Bass
Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted Kentucky

Catfish (Blue)

Season Open
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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Catfish
Blue, Channel, Flathead

Catfish (Channel)

Season Open
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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Catfish
Blue, Channel, Flathead

Catfish (Flathead)

Season Open
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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
Blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Catfish
Blue, Channel, Flathead

Crappie (Black and White)

Season Open
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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit

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.

Learn more about the species
black (top) and white (bottom) crappie
Crappie
White, Black

Goggle-Eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth

Season Open
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"

Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Military Reduced Cost Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)

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.

Learn more about the species
Northern rock bass, or goggle-eye, side view photo with black background
Goggle-eye (Rock Bass) and Warmouth

Muskellunge

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

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

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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Fishing Permit (residents only)

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.

Learn more about the species
Muskellunge side view photo with black background
Muskellunge

Mussels and Clams

Season Open
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.

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

Fishing Permit
Daily Fishing Permit
Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permit
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit (residents only)
Lifetime Small Game Hunting Permit (residents only)
Military Reduced Cost Permit
Learn more about the species
pink heelsplitter
Mussels & Clams