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Fishing in Missouri

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Want trophy-size catches? These Missouri spots deliver

About Missouri fishing

Missouri offers bass-rich Ozark lakes, trout streams, and catfish in rivers. Its combination of warmwater and coldwater fishing makes it a diverse freshwater angling destination for all skill levels.

Missouri fishing license

Missouri fishing licenses are required for anglers 16+. Resident and non-resident annual and short-term licenses are available online or from licensed vendors.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Missouri

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Biggest catches in Missouri

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Missouri

SpeciesWeightRainbow trout40 lbsChannel catfish34.6 lbsLargemouth bass13.8 lbsSmallmouth bass7.1 lbsWhite crappie5.2 lbsBluegill3 lbs

Latest Missouri fishing reports

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Channel catfish

Horseshoe Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Finger Lakes

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

James River

length · weight

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Bluegill

Penn Valley Lake

length · weight

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Black crappie

Smithville Lake

length · weight

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Blue catfish

Lake Of The Ozarks

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Indiana Avenue Pond

length · weight

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Bluegill

Penn Valley Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Horseshoe Lake

length · weight

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Green sunfish

Penn Valley Lake

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in Missouri

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Missouri can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching White crappie as of May 14th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

White crappie

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

30

Aggregate

30

Bull Shoals Lake

Lakewide: Ozark and Taney

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15 fish

Length limit:

Crappie: 10" minimum

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney 

Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Lake of the Ozarks

Lakewide:

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15

Length limit:

Crappie: minimum 9"

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit:

Within 525 feet on the left descending bank and 977 feet on the right descending bank below Truman Dam in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' restricted zone:

Area note: No fishing is allowed.

From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65:

Prohibited methods: Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Long Branch Lake

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Mark Twain Lake

Daily limit: Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Montrose Lake

Daily Limit:

Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Norfork Lake

Lakewide:

Daily limit: 

Crappie: 15

Length limit: 

Crappie: minimum 10"

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Pomme de Terre Lake

Length limits:

Crappie: minimum 9"

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Smithville Lake

Daily limit:

Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Stockton Lake

Length limits:

Crappie: minimum 10"

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Table Rock Lake

Lakewide:

Daily limit: 

Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Crappie: 15

Size limit:

Crappie: minimum 10"

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Thomas Hill Lake

Daily limit

Crappie: 15

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Truman Lake

Lakewide

Daily limit:

Crappie: 15

Size limit:

Crappie: minimum 9"

On the lake and its tributaries

Prohibited Methods: No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions


Wappapello Lake

Daily Limit: 

Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.

For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions

Very good

Pomoxis annularis

Regulations for

38°34′22.6″N 92°11′21.4″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ about Missouri fishing

Fishing regulations in Missouri, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Missouri, United States include White crappie, Smallmouth bass, and Largemouth bass. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Missouri, United States include Lake Of The Ozarks, Mississippi River (Cairo - Tennessee), and Table Rock Lake. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.