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Fishing regulations at Saint Johns Bayou, 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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Freshwater drum as of April 13th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Special gear
Aggregate
Daily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100
Possession limit: 100
The daily limit is the combined total of all nongame species taken by all nongame methods. If you have taken 50 nongame species using a pole and line, then you cannot take 20 nongame species using another nongame fishing method. If you have taken 20 nongame species via another nongame fishing method, then you can only take an additional 30 nongame species using a pole and line, or other line method.
On the Current River from Cedar Grove downstream to the Arkansas line, only 5 hogsuckers may be included in a daily limit.
Goldfish, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp may be possessed in any number and do not count in the daily or possession limit.
Bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and silver carp ;that jump from the water into a boat or onto land may also be taken and possessed in any number.
For more information please refer to Fishing Regulations Missouri Department of Conservation
Additional Seasonal Harvesting Restrictions and Limits:
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Impounded Waters
February 16, 2023 - September 14, 2023
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Impounded Waters
April 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
February 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024
Hours: Sunrise to midnight from February 1 to March 31.
Applies to bowfishing in impounded waters.
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
Applies to bowfishing in impounded waters.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing: Streams and Impounded Waters
March 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024
Hours: 24 Hours
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30.
On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15through Dec. 15.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish:Snaring:Streams and Impounded Waters
March 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024
September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024
Hours: 24 Hours
Daily limit: 20
Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
In the Osage River downstream from U.S. Highway 54 to the Missouri River and in the Lake of the Ozarks and Harry S. Truman Reservoir,
nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through April 30.
On the Mississippi River, nongame fish may be taken by snagging, snaring, and grabbing from March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl:Streams and Impounded Waters
September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024
Hours: Sunrise to midnight
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Crossbow: Impounded Waters and Temporary Overflow
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
Applies to crossbow fishing in impounded waters and bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Bowfishing: Mississippi, Missouri, St. Francis Rivers
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: 24 Hours
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
Applies to bowfishing in portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Snagging/Grabbing:Temporary Overflow
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
Applies to snagging/grabbing in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Temporary Overflow
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Daily limit: 20, Possession limit: 40, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100.
Applies to gigging in bodies of water produced by the temporary overflow of a river or ditch.
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Nongame Fish: Line Methods
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Hours: 24 hours
Daily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100
Possession limit: 100
Applies to fishing in streams and impounded waters
For more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Aplodinotus grunnieus, Sheephead
Regulations for
FAQ about Saint Johns Bayou fishing
- Freshwater drum - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
- White bass - 5 members reported to have caught this fish
- Shortnose gar - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
- @wesleypatterson reported a nice White bass.
- @AcHayes reported a nice White bass.
- @1Dunn reported a nice Blue catfish.
- @1Dunn reported a nice Flathead catfish.
- @1Dunn reported a nice Flathead catfish.
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