Bates County Drainage Ditch

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Missouri, United States

4 catches

Logged catches

Top fish species at Bates County Drainage Ditch

Paddlefish

Flathead catfish

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Fishing regulations at Bates County Drainage Ditch, MO

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.

Local laws and licenses

Missouri fishing license

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Regulations for top species

Season closed: May 1 - March 14

Paddlefish

Regulation boundaryMissouri State Waters

Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size32" (Front of eye to fork of tail)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Paddlefish are measured from the front of the eye to the fork of the tail.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

MO Explosives Chemicals Poison Electricity

No one may use any explosive, poison, chemical or electrical equipment to kill or stupefy fish. Such material or equipment may not be possessed on waters of the state or adjacent banks.

MO Hand Fishing

It also is illegal to attempt to take fish by hand, with or without a hook, and to intentionally leave or abandon any commonly edible portion of any fish.

MO Spearguns

Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks, and spears may not be propelled by explosives.

Additional information

Extracted paddlefish eggs may not be possessed while on waters of the state or adjacent banks and may not be transported. Paddlefish eggs may not be bought, sold, or offered for sale.https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations Lake of the OzarksNongame fish: Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only. Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.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: No fishing is allowed.From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam throughout the no-boating zone (look for signs and buoys): Paddlefish may not be possessed.From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65: Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions Little Platte RiverBetween Smithville Dam and U.S. Highway 169: Pole and line fishing only.Paddlefish may not be possessed on the water or adjacent banks.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26Paddlefish: 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.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions Osage RiverWithin 225 feet below Bagnell Dam:No fishing is allowed, except live bait may be taken by dip net and throw net only.From the no-fishing zone below Bagnell Dam to U.S. Highway 54:Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.From U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River:Snagging, snaring and grabbing for nongame fish are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions Table Rock LakeDo not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish. On the lake and its tributaries, size limit: Paddlefish: 34" minimum body length, measured from eye to fork of tail.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions Truman LakePaddlefish: minimum 34" body length, measured from eye to fork of tail.Prohibited Methods: No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.For additional information please see Paddlefish special area restrictions

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Polyodon spathula, Spoonbill

Season open: year-round

Flathead catfish

Regulation boundaryMissouri State Waters

Bag limit5

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

MO Explosives Chemicals Poison Electricity

No one may use any explosive, poison, chemical or electrical equipment to kill or stupefy fish. Such material or equipment may not be possessed on waters of the state or adjacent banks.

MO Hand Fishing

It also is illegal to attempt to take fish by hand, with or without a hook, and to intentionally leave or abandon any commonly edible portion of any fish.

MO Spearguns

Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks, and spears may not be propelled by explosives.

Additional information

Bull Shoals LakeLakewide: Ozark and TaneyDaily limit:Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three speciesFrom Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb linesFor more information please see Catfish special area restrictions Lake of the OzarksOn the lake and its tributaries:Daily limit:Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".Length limit:Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".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 Catfish special area restrictions Mississippi RiverThis 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 20-26Daily 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.Length limits:Limit of 2 poles per licensed anglerLimit of 50 hooks on a trotlineFor more information please see Catfish special area restrictions Table Rock LakeLakewide:Daily limit: Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these speciesFor more information please see Catfish special area restrictions Truman LakeOn the lake and its tributariesDaily limit:Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit, with not more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".Size limit:Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".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 Catfish special area restrictions

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Pylodictis olivaris

Local laws and licenses

Missouri fishing license

Get license

Cities nearby

6.7 miles away

8.6 miles away

12.3 miles away

14.6 miles away

14.9 miles away

16.6 miles away

17.2 miles away

20.3 miles away

21.4 miles away

23.6 miles away

24.8 miles away

25.4 miles away

26.7 miles away

28.8 miles away

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29.1 miles away

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31.8 miles away

32.7 miles away

33.3 miles away

36.3 miles away

36.8 miles away

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FAQ about Bates County Drainage Ditch fishing

📍 Where is the Bates County Drainage Ditch located?

the Bates County Drainage Ditch is a stream located in Bates County, Missouri, United States. Its coordinates are:

38°12′19.4″N 94°28′53.7″W

🎣 Where on the Bates County Drainage Ditch is it best to fish?

Find the best fishing spots on the Bates County Drainage Ditch by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.

🐟 What species are in the Bates County Drainage Ditch?

The most common species in the Bates County Drainage Ditch are:

Paddlefish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
Flathead catfish - 1 members reported to have caught this fish

📢 What are the latest Bates County Drainage Ditch fishing reports?

The latest Bates County Drainage Ditch fishing reports are:

@rgardner7018 reported a nice Paddlefish.
@jgregory209 reported a nice Paddlefish.
@Herren reported a nice Flathead catfish.

🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Bates County Drainage Ditch?

Fishing in Missouri requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Resident and non-resident annual and short-term licenses are available online or from licensed vendors.

In Missouri, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license
Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations
Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license

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Bates County Drainage Ditch

Top fish species at Bates County Drainage Ditch