Fishing Seasons

Paddlefish: Mississippi River

Season Open
Dates
March 15, 2024 to May 15, 2024
September 15, 2024 to December 15, 2024
Notes

These regulations apply to paddlefishing on the Mississippi River.

Limits

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 4
Size limit: minimum 32"

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Impounded Waters

Season Open
Dates
April 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
February 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
Hours

Sunrise to midnight from February 1 to March 31.

Notes

Applies to bowfishing in impounded waters.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a bow. If you have taken 20 nongame species via bowfishing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Black Bass: Ozark Streams

Season Not Open
Dates
May 25, 2024 to February 28, 2025
Notes

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

Limits

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

Methods

Fishing: Allowed Methods

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

Bullfrog and Green Frog: Fishing

Season Not Open
Dates
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.

Limits

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

Methods

Frog: Allowed Methods

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

Methods

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

Learn more about the species

Turtles (Soft-shelled)

Season Not Open
Dates
July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Notes

Alligator snapping turtles are an endangered species, and it is illegal to hunt or collect them. Learn to identify alligator snapping turtles.

Limits

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 4

Combined total of all species.

Methods

Turtles: Allowed Methods

Methods

Hand

Hand net

Bow

Crossbow

Trotline

Throwline

Limb line

Bank line

Jug line

Snagging

Snaring

Grabbing

Pole and line

Turtles: Prohibited Methods

Methods

Firearms

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

Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Streams and Impounded Waters

Season Not Open
Dates
September 15, 2024 to February 15, 2025
Hours

Sunrise to midnight

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using a gig/atlatl. If you have taken 20 nongame species via gig/atlatl, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and it tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing: Streams and Impounded Waters

Season Open
Dates
March 15, 2024 to May 15, 2024
September 15, 2024 to February 15, 2025
Hours

24 hours

Notes

In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir,
nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30.
On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15
through Dec. 15.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing. If you have taken 20 nongame species via snagging/grabbing, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Nongame Fish: Snaring: Streams and Impounded Waters

Season Open
Dates
March 15, 2024 to May 15, 2024
September 15, 2024 to February 15, 2025
Hours

24 hours

 

Notes

In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir,
nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30.
On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15
through Dec. 15.

Limits

Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.

The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species via snaring. If you have taken 20 nongame species via snaring, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.

On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.

On Lake of the Ozarks and it tributaries, Osage River below U.S. Highway 54, and Truman Lake and its tributaries, gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp,  grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.

Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.

Bowfin must remain whole and intact while on state waters or adjacent banks.

Methods
Learn more about the species

Paddlefish: Mississippi River

Season Open
Dates
March 15, 2024 to May 15, 2024
September 15, 2024 to December 15, 2024
Notes

These regulations apply to paddlefishing on the Mississippi River.

Limits

Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 4
Size limit: minimum 32"

Methods
Learn more about the species

Trout: Catch-and-Release

Season Not Open
Dates
November 8, 2024 to February 10, 2025
Hours

Hours vary by park.

Notes

This season is open only in the following trout parks: Maramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park, and Roaring River State Park.

Limits

You may not keep trout during this season. Fishing is catch-and-release only.

Methods
Learn more about the species