What special fishing regulations apply at Missouri River main stem?

Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass. One of them reads: "Includes the 90-mile free-flowing reach between Garrison Dam tailwater + the head of Lake Oahe at Bismarck (one of the longest remaining free-flowing Missouri River reaches outside MT); walleye + sauger + saugeye combined 5 / day, NO length limit; largemouth + smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, NO length limit; channel catfish 20 / day no minimum west of ND Hwy 1 (bow / spear harvest permitted in the Missouri River System up to the first tributary bridge); paddlefish snag-fishing season May 1 – May 21 only on the far-west reach — the Missouri River west of the US Hwy 85 bridge to the Montana border (ND G&F Free Paddlefish Tag), not the Bismarck-area reach." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Missouri River main stem?

Yes. Missouri River main stem is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Missouri River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.

Do Missouri River main stem's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem?

Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Missouri River main stem, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

2026 regulation year

Missouri River main stem 2026 — North Dakota Fishing Regulations

North Dakota statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of North Dakota's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, White bass. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Missouri River main stem (ND) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Includes the 90-mile free-flowing reach between Garrison Dam tailwater + the head of Lake Oahe at Bismarck (one of the longest remaining free-flowing Missouri River reaches outside MT); walleye + sauger + saugeye combined 5 / day, NO length limit; largemouth + smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, NO length limit; channel catfish 20 / day no minimum west of ND Hwy 1 (bow / spear harvest permitted in the Missouri River System up to the first tributary bridge); paddlefish snag-fishing season May 1 – May 21 only on the far-west reach — the Missouri River west of the US Hwy 85 bridge to the Montana border (ND G&F Free Paddlefish Tag), not the Bismarck-area reach
Source: North Dakota special-water list

Per-species rules on Missouri River main stem

Smallmouth bass regulations →
NO length limit, 5 / day combined largemouth + smallmouth; the free-flowing reach between Garrison Dam tailwater + the head of Lake Oahe at Bismarck is one of the most underrated smallmouth river fisheries in the country
Channel catfish regulations →
20 / day no minimum (west of ND Hwy 1); bow / spear harvest permitted in the Missouri River System up to the first tributary bridge
White bass regulations →
20 / day (40 possession)

Official source

North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F) publishes the authoritative 2026 North Dakota fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official North Dakota fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to North Dakota Game & Fish Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any North Dakota trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in North Dakota

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Missouri River main stem?: Missouri River main stem carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override North Dakota's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass. One of them reads: "Includes the 90-mile free-flowing reach between Garrison Dam tailwater + the head of Lake Oahe at Bismarck (one of the longest remaining free-flowing Missouri River reaches outside MT); walleye + sauger + saugeye combined 5 / day, NO length limit; largemouth + smallmouth bass 5 / day combined, NO length limit; channel catfish 20 / day no minimum west of ND Hwy 1 (bow / spear harvest permitted in the Missouri River System up to the first tributary bridge); paddlefish snag-fishing season May 1 – May 21 only on the far-west reach — the Missouri River west of the US Hwy 85 bridge to the Montana border (ND G&F Free Paddlefish Tag), not the Bismarck-area reach." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Missouri River main stem?: Yes. Missouri River main stem is in North Dakota, so a valid North Dakota fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by North Dakota Game & Fish Department (ND G&F). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Missouri River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide North Dakota rules.
Do Missouri River main stem's special rules replace North Dakota's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. North Dakota's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Missouri River main stem 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 Missouri River main stem?: Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and White bass have a water-body-specific rule on Missouri River main stem, each linking to its full North Dakota regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide North Dakota limits.

← Back to North Dakota regulations overview