2026 regulation year
Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 — License Fees, Seasons, Bag Limits
Last updated
Missouri licences are sold by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) on a calendar year. Missouri is the country's flagship inland-trout-stamp state — MDC operates 4 Trout Parks (Bennett Spring, Roaring River, Montauk, Maramec Spring) plus the Lake Taneycomo tailwater where a daily trout tag covers the trout fishing without a separate annual stamp; outside the parks the MDC Trout Permit ($10 resident / $10 non-resident) is required. Two distinctive statewide rules shape Missouri fishing: crappie carry a generous 30-fish daily limit with no length limit statewide (the major destination reservoirs reduce this to 15 / day with a 9- or 10-inch minimum to grow bigger fish), and black bass harvest on most Ozark and non-Ozark streams is catch-and-release only from March 1 until the harvest season opens May 23 (year-round harvest on the Mississippi River, waters north of the Missouri River, the St. Francis below Wappapello, and the southeast-Missouri bootheel streams). Lake of the Ozarks (54,000 acres on the Osage River) is a recurring Bassmaster Elite Series + MLF Toyota Series rotation venue and one of the country's most-fished destination bass lakes. Truman Lake (55,600 acres immediately upstream) is the country's premier crappie fishery; Bull Shoals Lake (45,440 acres MO/AR boundary on the White River) and Table Rock Lake (43,100 acres on the White River) are world-class trophy smallmouth + spotted bass + walleye reservoirs (Table Rock is a recurring BASS + MLF venue); Lake Taneycomo below Table Rock Dam is the country's premier inland brown trout tailwater (state-record brown trout from Taneycomo 34 lb 10 oz, 2019). The Current River + Eleven Point + Jacks Fork + Niangua are Ozark spring-creek trout streams with reach-specific special regulations. The Mississippi River boundary with IL + IA + KY + TN + AR runs the eastern + southern edge; the Missouri River runs the diagonal across the state.
Get change alerts
Watch Missouri fishing regulations and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.
License fees
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing permit | $13.00 | |
| Resident Trout Permit (add-on) | $10.00 | Required outside Trout Parks; Trout Parks use daily trout tag instead |
| Resident daily fishing permit | $9.00 | |
| Resident senior (65+) lifetime fishing | $7.00 | One-time fee — MO residents only |
| Resident youth (under 16) | Free | Not required under age 16 |
| Resident disabled veteran | Free | Free — eligibility required |
| Trout Park daily tag (Bennett Spring / Roaring River / Montauk / Maramec) | $4.00 | Required inside the Trout Parks Mar 1 – Oct 31; covers trout fishing for that day. $3 youth (15 and under) |
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual fishing permit | $51.00 | |
| Non-resident Trout Permit (add-on) | $10.00 | |
| Non-resident daily fishing permit | $9.00 | |
| Non-resident 3-day fishing permit | $27.00 | |
| Non-resident youth (under 16) | Free | Not required under age 16 |
| Trout Park daily tag (NR) | $5.00 | Required inside Trout Parks Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
Buy directly from Missouri Department of Conservation. Fees may include processing surcharges at point of sale.
Top species — season, bag, size
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bassCompare across states → | Year-round on impoundments; Ozark + non-Ozark streams catch-and-release only Mar 1 – May 22, harvest May 23 – Feb 28 | 6 / day combined black bass statewide (largemouth + smallmouth + spotted) | No statewide minimum on impoundments; 12 in min on streams; 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth on Lake of the Ozarks + Truman + Table Rock + Stockton + Bull Shoals + Norfork + Mark Twain + Smithville; 13 in min Pomme de Terre |
| Smallmouth bassCompare across states → | Impoundments year-round; Ozark + non-Ozark streams catch-and-release only Mar 1 – May 22, harvest May 23 – Feb 28 | 6 / day combined black bass statewide; on Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area stream reaches only 1 of the 6 may be a smallmouth | 12 in min on streams statewide; 15 in min smallmouth on Special Management Area stream reaches (Big Piney + Gasconade + Meramec + Elk + James + listed Ozark streams) |
| Trout (rainbow + brown)Compare across states → | Trout Parks open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep + Nov 13 – Feb 8 C&R (Fri–Mon); Lake Taneycomo + Current River + Ozark streams year-round under reach-specific rules | 4 / day combined trout in Trout Parks (with daily tag); 4 / day Lake Taneycomo (1 brown ≥ 20 in, rainbow 12–20 in protected slot); 4 / day stocked streams | Park tag — no minimum; Taneycomo brown 20 in min + rainbow 12–20 in protected slot; Eleven Point + Current River Blue Ribbon reaches 18 in min, 1 / day |
| Crappie (white + black)Compare across states → | Year-round | 30 / day combined statewide (no length limit); reduced to 15 / day on the major reservoirs (Lake of the Ozarks + Truman + Table Rock + Stockton + Bull Shoals + Pomme de Terre + Norfork) | No statewide minimum; 9 in min Lake of the Ozarks + Truman + Pomme de Terre; 10 in min Table Rock + Stockton + Bull Shoals + Norfork |
| WalleyeCompare across states → | Year-round | 4 / day combined walleye + sauger | 15 in min statewide; 18 in min Bull Shoals + Table Rock + Norfork + Lake Wappapello |
| Channel catfishCompare across states → | Year-round | 10 / day statewide; 20 aggregate with blue catfish on the Mississippi River; 10 combined catfish on listed reservoirs | No statewide length limit |
| Blue catfishCompare across states → | Year-round | 5 / day statewide; 20 aggregate with channel catfish on the Mississippi River; 10 combined on listed reservoirs | No statewide length limit; 26 in min on Mark Twain Lake |
| Flathead catfishCompare across states → | Year-round | 5 / day statewide; 10 / day Mississippi River; 10 combined on listed reservoirs | No statewide length limit; 26 in min on Mark Twain Lake |
Notable water-body special regulations
54,000-acre Osage River impoundment; recurring Bassmaster Elite Series + MLF Toyota Series venue; black bass 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth (12 in spotted), 6 / day combined; crappie 9 in min, 15 / day; blue catfish 10 / day (no more than 2 over 34 in); walleye + sauger statewide 15 in min, 4 / day; paddlefish snagging March 15 – April 30 (34 in min eye-to-fork)
55,600-acre Harry S. Truman Reservoir on the Osage River; country's premier crappie reservoir — crappie 9 in min, 15 / day; black bass 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth (12 in spotted), 6 / day combined; blue catfish 10 / day (no more than 2 over 34 in); paddlefish 34 in min eye-to-fork
43,100-acre White River impoundment; recurring Bassmaster Elite + MLF Bass Pro Tour venue; world-class trophy smallmouth + spotted bass + walleye; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; walleye + sauger 18 in min, 4 / day; crappie 10 in min, 15 / day; catfish (channel + blue + flathead) 10 combined / day
Bull Shoals Lake (MO/AR boundary, White River)
45,440-acre MO/AR boundary reservoir on the White River; black bass 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth (12 in spotted), 6 / day combined; walleye + sauger 18 in min, 4 / day; crappie 10 in min; striped bass 20 in min; no length limit on white bass
Stockton Lake (Cedar / Polk / Dade Counties)
24,900-acre Sac River impoundment; trophy walleye reservoir (walleye + sauger statewide 15 in min, 4 / day); black bass 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth (12 in spotted), 6 / day combined; crappie 10 in min, 15 / day
Pomme de Terre Lake (Hickory / Polk Counties)
7,820-acre Pomme de Terre River impoundment; muskellunge management lake — muskie 36 in min statewide, 1 / day; black bass 13 in min, 6 / day combined; crappie 9 in min, 15 / day
Mark Twain Lake (Monroe / Ralls Counties)
18,600-acre Salt River impoundment; crappie 15 / day (no length limit); black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; blue + flathead catfish 26 in min
Norfork Lake (MO/AR boundary, North Fork White River)
MO arm of the White River system reservoir on the MO/AR line; black bass 15 in min largemouth + smallmouth (12 in spotted), 6 / day combined; crappie 10 in min, 15 / day; walleye + sauger 18 in min, 4 / day; striped bass 20 in min (only 3 in the aggregate); catfish (channel + blue + flathead) 10 combined / day
MO's premier inland brown trout tailwater — state-record brown trout 34 lb 10 oz (2019); 4 / day combined trout (only 1 brown, 20 in min; rainbow 12–20 in protected slot must be released); flies and artificial lures only above the U.S. Highway 65 bridge (no soft plastics or scented bait); MDC Trout Permit required
Bennett Spring State Park (Dallas County)
Trout Park — open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep with daily trout tag ($4 res / $5 NR, $3 youth); Nov 13, 2026 – Feb 8, 2027 catch-and-release flies-only winter season (Fri–Mon, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.); 4 / day with tag, stop after 8 trout in possession
Roaring River State Park (Barry County)
Trout Park — open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep with daily trout tag; Nov 13 – Feb 8 C&R flies-only winter season (Fri–Mon); 4 / day with tag
Montauk State Park (Dent County)
Trout Park headwaters of Current River — open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep with daily trout tag; Nov 13 – Feb 8 C&R winter season; 4 / day with tag
Maramec Spring Park (Phelps County)
Trout Park (privately operated by the James Foundation, MDC-stocked) — open March 1 – October 31 catch-and-keep with daily trout tag; Nov 13 – Feb 8 C&R winter season; 4 / day with tag
Current River (Ozark National Scenic Riverways)
National Park Service wild + scenic river — premier Ozark float-stream smallmouth + stocked trout; Blue Ribbon trout reaches (Cedar Grove to Akers) 18 in min trout, 1 / day, flies and artificial lures only; smallmouth follow the 12 in min stream rule and the Mar 1 – May 22 catch-and-release harvest closure; MDC Trout Permit required for trout below Montauk
Eleven Point River (Oregon County)
National Wild + Scenic River — Special Management Area trout reach below Greer Spring; 18 in min trout, 1 / day; flies and artificial lures only on the regulated reach; MDC Trout Permit required
Jacks Fork (Ozark National Scenic Riverways)
National Park Service wild + scenic river joining Current River; premier float-stream smallmouth + goggle-eye; smallmouth 12 in min, 6 / day combined black bass under the stream rule + Mar 1 – May 22 C&R harvest closure
Niangua River (Camden / Dallas Counties)
Bennett Spring tailwater + downstream smallmouth sections; White Ribbon Trout Area from Bennett Spring Branch to Prosperine Access (11.5 mi stocked stream); smallmouth 12 in min under the stream rule; Trout Permit required for trout
Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)
Ozark float-stream smallmouth + goggle-eye + walleye; black bass 12 fish daily / possession including no more than 6 largemouth + smallmouth combined (spotted bass no length limit); Meramec + Big River Special Management reaches 15 in min smallmouth, only 1 smallmouth of the 6; goggle-eye 8 in min on listed reaches
Gasconade River + Big Piney River
Premier float-stream smallmouth + walleye; Special Management reaches 15 in min smallmouth, 6 black bass including only 1 smallmouth; a Gasconade reach carries an 18 in min black-bass rule; goggle-eye 8 in min on listed reaches
Big Piney River (Texas / Pulaski Counties)
Ozark float-stream smallmouth — Slabtown Access to the Gasconade River Special Management Area: 15 in min smallmouth, 6 black bass including only 1 smallmouth; goggle-eye 8 in min from Highway 17 to the Gasconade River
Boundary water — MO licence covers MO bank; black bass year-round harvest, 6 / day combined; sauger + walleye 15 in min, 4 / day combined; trophy flathead + blue catfish (20 channel + blue in aggregate); paddlefish snagging March 15 – April 30 with permit, 34 in min eye-to-fork
Missouri River (MO main stem, boundary with KS + NE)
Boundary water — MO licence covers MO bank; black bass year-round harvest north of the river; sauger + walleye 15 in min, 4 / day combined; channel + blue + flathead catfish trophy; paddlefish snagging season with permit; pallid sturgeon protected (must release)
Lake Wappapello (Wayne County)
8,400-acre St. Francis River impoundment; crappie 30 / day with no more than 15 over 9 in; walleye + sauger 18 in min on the lake and the St. Francis River above the dam; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; channel + flathead catfish
7,200-acre reservoir; crappie 30 / day with no more than 15 over 9 in; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; channel catfish + walleye + muskellunge (36 in min statewide)
1,500-acre cooling lake near Truman Reservoir; trophy largemouth management — black bass 18 in min, 2 / day; crappie 15 / day
Longview Lake (Jackson County)
930-acre Kansas City metro reservoir; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; pole-and-line fishing only (shad may be taken by dip or throw net)
Blue Springs Lake (Jackson County)
Kansas City metro reservoir in Fleming Park; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; pole-and-line fishing only (shad may be taken by dip or throw net)
Long Branch Lake + Thomas Hill Reservoir (north central MO)
Reservoir bass + crappie + channel catfish; black bass 15 in min, 6 / day combined; crappie statewide 30 / day, no length limit
Crane Creek (Lawrence / Stone Counties)
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (upper ~8 mi above Quail Spur Crossing) — wild McCloud-strain rainbows; flies and artificial lures only (no soft plastics / natural / scented bait); trout 18 in min, 1 / day
Little Piney Creek (Phelps County)
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Phelps County line to Milldam Hollow Access, 9.9 mi) — flies and artificial lures only; trout 18 in min, 1 / day
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Yelton Spring to the Little Piney, 7.7 mi) — flies and artificial lures only; trout 18 in min, 1 / day
Blue Springs Creek (Crawford County)
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Blue Springs to the Meramec River, 4 mi) — flies and artificial lures only; trout 18 in min, 1 / day
Barren Fork Creek (Shannon County)
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (County Road A-D to Sinking Creek, 3.2 mi) — flies and artificial lures only; trout 18 in min, 1 / day
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Relfe Spring to the Big Piney River, 6.2 mi) — flies and artificial lures only; trout 18 in min, 1 / day
North Fork of the White River (Ozark County)
Blue Ribbon Trout Area (Rainbow Spring outlet to Patrick Bridge, 8.6 mi) — flies and artificial lures only, 18 in min / 1 per day; the Red Ribbon section below to Norfork Lake = all lures, 15 in min, 2 / day
White Ribbon Trout Area (4 mi upstream from Shoal Creek) — all authorized lures; rainbow trout no minimum, brown trout 15 in min; 4 trout / day
White Ribbon Trout Area (Hwy 86 bridge to Shoal Creek, 2.7 mi) — all lures Mar 1 – Oct 31 (4 / day; rainbow no min, brown 15 in min); flies and artificial lures only, catch-and-release Nov 1 – Feb 28
Roubidoux Creek (Pulaski County)
White Ribbon Trout Area (Roubidoux Spring to the Gasconade River, 3.1 mi) — all lures; rainbow trout no minimum, brown trout 15 in min; 4 trout / day
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (entire MO length) — smallmouth 15 in min; of the 6-black-bass daily limit only 1 may be a smallmouth
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Hooten Town bridge to the Hwy 413 / 265 bridge at Galena) — smallmouth 15 in min; only 1 smallmouth in the 6-black-bass daily limit
Joachim Creek (Jefferson County)
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Hwy V bridge to the Hwy A bridge) — smallmouth 15 in min; only 1 smallmouth in the 6-black-bass daily limit
Mineral Fork (Washington County)
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area, Big River drainage (Hwy F bridge to the Big River) — smallmouth 15 in min; only 1 smallmouth in the daily black-bass limit
Huzzah Creek (Crawford County)
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Willhite Road to the Meramec River) — smallmouth 15 in min, only 1 in the black-bass daily limit; goggle-eye 8 in min
Courtois Creek (Crawford County)
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Hwy 8 bridge to Huzzah Creek) — smallmouth 15 in min, only 1 in the black-bass daily limit; goggle-eye 8 in min
Osage Fork of the Gasconade River (Laclede County)
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Skyline Drive bridge near Orla to the Gasconade River) — smallmouth 15 in min; only 1 smallmouth in the 6-black-bass daily limit
Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area (Hwy B bridge to Cane Creek) — smallmouth 15 in min; only 1 smallmouth in the 6-black-bass daily limit
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fishing license to fish in Missouri?
- Yes. Missouri requires residents and non-residents alike to hold a valid fishing license, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. Buy directly from Missouri Department of Conservation; resident and non-resident fees are listed in the tables above.
- How much is a fishing license in Missouri?
- Resident fees range from $4.00 (trout park daily tag (bennett spring / roaring river / montauk / maramec)) to $13.00 (resident annual fishing permit); Non-resident fees range from $5.00 (trout park daily tag (nr)) to $51.00 (non-resident annual fishing permit). The full breakdown — annual, multi-day, senior, and lifetime options — is in the license-fee tables above, and you can compare Missouri against every other state on the license-fee comparator.
- What fish can you catch in Missouri?
- Missouri anglers most commonly target Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Trout (rainbow + brown), Crappie (white + black), Walleye, Channel catfish, and others. Each species sets its own season, daily bag, and size or slot limit — compare them in the species table above, or open a species page for the full 2026 rule.
- When does fishing season open in Missouri?
- It depends on the species — Missouri sets a separate season for each. Warmwater fish like bass, catfish, and panfish are open year-round in most of the state, while trout, walleye, salmon, and other cold-water or migratory species have dated seasons. The season column in the table above shows each one, and Missouri Department of Conservation can shift dates by emergency order.
- Are there special fishing rules on specific Missouri waters?
- Yes. 46 named Missouri waters carry regulations that differ from the statewide rule, including Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Table Rock Lake, and 43 more. See the notable water-body special regulations above for the exact rule on each.
Official source
Missouri Department of Conservation is the authoritative source for Missouri fishing regulations. Always verify rules before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override published booklets.
Visit official Missouri fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Missouri Department of Conservation's emergency-order feed — check it before any Missouri trip during the active season.