What special fishing regulations apply at Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)?

Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Missouri's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "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." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)?

Yes. Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) is in Missouri, so a valid Missouri fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Missouri Department of Conservation. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Meramec drainage; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Missouri rules.

Do Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)'s special rules replace Missouri's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Missouri's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Meramec drainage by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Meramec drainage?

Smallmouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage), each linking to its full Missouri regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Missouri limits.

2026 regulation year

Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) 2026 — Missouri Fishing Regulations

Missouri statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Missouri's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

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
Source: Missouri special-water list

Per-species rules on Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)

Smallmouth bass regulations →
15 in min smallmouth on Meramec + Big River Special Management reaches; 12 black bass incl no more than 6 largemouth + smallmouth combined, only 1 smallmouth

Official source

Missouri Department of Conservation publishes the authoritative 2026 Missouri fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

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.

Other special-regulation waters in Missouri

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)?: Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Missouri's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass. One of them reads: "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." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)?: Yes. Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage) is in Missouri, so a valid Missouri fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Missouri Department of Conservation. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Meramec drainage; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Missouri rules.
Do Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage)'s special rules replace Missouri's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Missouri's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Meramec drainage by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Meramec drainage?: Smallmouth bass has a water-body-specific rule on Meramec River + Big River + Bourbeuse River (Meramec drainage), each linking to its full Missouri regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Missouri limits.

← Back to Missouri regulations overview