Fishing in Missouri (United States) ➡️️️️ Explore fishing spots and reports

Q: 📜 What are the fishing regulations in Missouri, United States?

Fishing regulations in Missouri, United States vary by region, 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 Fishbrain app to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

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.

Latest Missouri fishing reports

Largemouth bass

Mitchell Branch

length · weight

Green sunfish

Line Creek

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Line Creek

length · weight

Channel catfish

Zajic Lake

length · weight

Longear sunfish

Line Creek

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Smithville Lake

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Katy Lake Estates

10 in · 1 lb 3 oz

Channel catfish

New Town Lake

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Flat Creek

length · weight

Bluegill

James River

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 September 10th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

White crappie

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Aggregate

Restrictions & requirements

Additional information

Bull Shoals LakeLakewide: Ozark and TaneyDaily limit:Crappie: 15 fishLength limit:Crappie: 10" minimumFrom Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb linesFor more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsLake of the OzarksLakewide:Daily limit:Crappie: 15Length 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 restrictionsLong Branch LakeDaily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsMark Twain LakeDaily limit: Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsMontrose LakeDaily Limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsNorfork LakeLakewide:Daily limit: Crappie: 15Length limit: Crappie: minimum 10"For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsPomme de Terre LakeLength limits:Crappie: minimum 9"Daily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsSmithville LakeDaily limit:Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsStockton LakeLength limits:Crappie: minimum 10"Daily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsTable Rock LakeLakewide:Daily limit: Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.Crappie: 15Size limit:Crappie: minimum 10"For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsThomas Hill LakeDaily limitCrappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictionsTruman LakeLakewideDaily limit:Crappie: 15Size limit:Crappie: minimum 9"On the lake and its tributariesProhibited 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 restrictionsWappapello LakeDaily Limit: Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Pomoxis annularis

Regulations for

38°34′22.6″N 92°11′21.4″W

Regulations in the map

FAQ about Missouri fishing

📜 What are the fishing regulations in Missouri, United States?

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.

🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in Missouri, United States?

Some of the most popular species anglers target in Missouri, United States include White crappie, Smallmouth bass, and Bluegill. 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.

🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in Missouri, 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.

Fishing in Missouri

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