Temperate Bass: Special Area Regulations

Waterbody Lookup

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Bull Shoals Lake

Restrictions

Lakewide: Ozark and Taney
Daily limit:

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species
Crappie: 15 fish
Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass
Crappie: 10" minimum

On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas
Daily limit:

Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate

Length limit:
Walleye and sauger: minimum 18"
Striped bass: minimum 20"
There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids.

In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney
From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney
Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

Dry Fork Creek

Restrictions

Mainstem and its tributaries:
Length limit: Spotted bass—No minimum length limit.
Daily limit: Black bass—12 fish including no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.

In Crawford and Phelps counties:
The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

In Crawford and Phelps counties from the elevated cable crossing to the Meramec River:
Part of the Meramec River Red Ribbon Trout Area, see restrictions below.

In Phelps and Dent counties, upstream from the elevated cable crossing:
Length Limit: Trout minimum—15 inch
Daily limit: Trout—2

Area Type

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (Artificial Lures)

Name
Red Ribbon Trout Area (Artificial Lures)
Fish Image
Red Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

They provide catch-and-release fishing and a chance to harvest quality-size trout.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: At least 15"
Daily Limit: 2
Authorized Lures: Artificial lures and flies

Eleven Point River

Restrictions

While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

Mainstem and its tributaries: Walleye and sauger—18 inch minimum length limit

In Oregon County: The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

From Thomasville Access to the Arkansas line:
Goggle-eye—8 inch minimum length limit.
Smallmouth bass—15 inch minimum length limit. The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.

Greer Spring Branch junction to Turner Mill Access - 5.5 miles: Blue Ribbon Trout Area

Downstream from Turner Mill Access - 14.2 miles: White Ribbon Trout Area

Area Type

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area

Name
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Fish Image
Blue Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

Harvest is limited to maintain the maximum density of adult trout, create excellent catch-and-release fishing, and provide the occasional chance to harvest a trophy. These areas on the Current and North Fork of the White rivers are stocked with brown trout, and the Eleven Point River is stocked with rainbows.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: At least 18"
Daily Limit: 1
Authorized Lures: Artificial lures and flies

Only flies and artificial lures may be used, and soft plastic baits and natural and scented baits are prohibited when fishing for any species.
Gigging, bowfishing, and using an atlatl are prohibited, and fish taken by these methods may not be possessed on these waters or their banks.

Name
White Ribbon Trout Area

Name
White Ribbon Trout Area
Fish Image
White Ribbon Trout Area
Area Information

Coldwater streams capable of supporting trout populations year-round. All receive periodic stockings of rainbow trout, and some also receive brown trout. They provide great opportunities for catching and harvesting trout and the occasional chance to harvest a large trout.

Area Restrictions

Length Limit: Rainbows -- none; Browns -- at least 15"
Daily Limit: 4
Authorized Lures: All

Long Branch Lake

Restrictions

Length Limits:
Black bass: minimum 15”
Hybrid striped bass: minimum 20”
Walleye and sauger: minimum 18”

Daily limit:
Hybrid striped bass: 4
Crappie: 15

Mississippi River

Restrictions

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including

  • Pools 20-26,
  • the temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City,
  • and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26
Paddlefish: The open season is March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.
Nongame fish: Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through May 15 and from Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.

Daily limits:
Channel catfish and blue catfish: The daily and possession limit is 20, combined total of these species.
Flathead catfish: The daily and possession limit is 10 fish.
Walleye and sauger: The daily and possession limit is 8, combined total of both species.
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: The daily and possession limit is 30, combined total of these species.
Nongame fish: The daily and possession limit is 100, combined total of these species, except that bighead carp, common carp, goldfish, grass carp and silver carp may be taken and possessed in any number.

Length limits:
Black bass: minimum 12”
Walleye and sauger: None
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids: None

Allowed methods:
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in all flowing portions, except in Sand Chute below the mouth of the Salt River in Pike County where they may only be taken by bow from sunrise to midnight.
Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler
Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

Temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.

Temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.

Norfork Lake

Restrictions

Lakewide:

Daily limit:
Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these species
Crappie: 15

Length limit:
Black bass: minimum 15” on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12” on spotted bass
Crappie: minimum 10”

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit:
Striped Bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate.

Length limit:
Walleye and sauger: minimum 18”
Striped Bass: minimum 20”
White bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids: none

Thomas Hill Lake

Restrictions

Length limits
Black bass: minimum 15”
Hybrid striped bass: minimum 20”

Daily limit
Crappie: 15
Hybrid striped bass: 4