Bates County Drainage Ditch
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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.
Regulations for top species
Paddlefish
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.
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.
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.
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 Ozarks
Nongame 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 River
Between 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 20-26
Paddlefish: 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 River
Within 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 Lake
Do 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 Lake
Paddlefish: 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
Flathead catfish
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.
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.
Bull Shoals Lake
Lakewide: Ozark and Taney
Daily limit:
Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species
From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney
Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines
For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions
Lake of the Ozarks
On 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 River
This 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 20-26
Daily 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 angler
Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline
For more information please see Catfish 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.
Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these species
For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions
Truman Lake
On the lake and its tributaries
Daily 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
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