Top fish species at Mussel Fork

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Mussel Fork fishing reports

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Shortnose gar

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Black crappie

length · weight

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General info

Mussel Fork is a stream located in Macon County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Adair County, Missouri. It is most popular for fishing Shortnose gar and Black crappie.

Location

39°50′41.7″N 92°50′18.7″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Mussel Fork, 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

Season open: year-round
Shortnose gar

Shortnose gar

Regulation boundaryMissouri State Waters
Bag limit50

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.

Aggregate limit50

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

MO Gear

Seasonal Harvest Method Restrictions and Limits: Nongame Fish: Gig/Atlatl: Impounded WatersFebruary 16, 2023 - September 14, 2023Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 WatersApril 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024February 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 WatersMarch 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily 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 WatersMarch 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily limit: 20Possession 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 WatersSeptember 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: Sunrise to midnightDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 seasonsNongame Fish: Bowfishing: Mississippi, Missouri, St. Francis RiversJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 MethodsJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: 24 hoursDaily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100Possession limit: 100Applies to fishing in streams and impounded watersFor more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons

Restrictions & requirements

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
Daily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100Possession limit: 100The 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 WatersFebruary 16, 2023 - September 14, 2023Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 WatersApril 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024February 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 WatersMarch 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily 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 WatersMarch 15, 2024 - May 15, 2024September 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily limit: 20Possession 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 WatersSeptember 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024Hours: Sunrise to midnightDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 seasonsNongame Fish: Bowfishing: Mississippi, Missouri, St. Francis RiversJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: 24 HoursDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 OverflowJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: Sunrise to sunsetDaily 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 MethodsJanuary 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Hours: 24 hoursDaily limit: 50, except on the Mississippi River which has a daily and possession limit of 100Possession limit: 100Applies to fishing in streams and impounded watersFor more information please see Nongame fish: additional gear and area specific seasons
Edibility
Unknown - let us know if you enjoy eating them.
Synonyms
Lepisosteus platostomus
Season open: year-round
Black crappie

Black crappie

Regulation boundaryMissouri State Waters
Bag limit30

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.

Aggregate limit30

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

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
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 restrictions Lake 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 restrictions Long Branch LakeDaily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Mark Twain LakeDaily limit: Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Montrose LakeDaily Limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Norfork LakeLakewide:Daily limit: Crappie: 15Length limit: Crappie: minimum 10"For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Pomme de Terre LakeLength limits:Crappie: minimum 9"Daily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Smithville LakeDaily limit:Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Stockton LakeLength limits:Crappie: minimum 10"Daily limit:Crappie: 15For more information please see Crappie 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.Crappie: 15Size limit:Crappie: minimum 10"For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Thomas Hill LakeDaily limitCrappie: 15For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions Truman 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 restrictions Wappapello LakeDaily Limit: Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.For more information please see Crappie special area restrictions
Edibility
Excellent! Catch, Clean, Cook Black Crappie aka Speckled Perch
Synonyms
Calico bass, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Speckled Perch
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Local laws and licenses

Missouri fishing license

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Cities nearby

New Cambria

6.6 miles away

Winigan

14.3 miles away

South Gifford

15.0 miles away

Rothville

17.8 miles away

Atlanta

19.4 miles away

Prairie Hill

23.0 miles away

Excello

24.2 miles away

Meadville

24.8 miles away

Kirksville

28.1 miles away

Greencastle

28.8 miles away

Keytesville

29.0 miles away

Clarence

31.5 miles away

Chula

34.3 miles away

Hurdland

35.3 miles away

Moberly

36.4 miles away

Bosworth

37.0 miles away

Gilliam

43.2 miles away

Bethel

43.4 miles away

Shelbina

43.7 miles away

Holliday

44.8 miles away

Clark

47.2 miles away

Fayette

48.9 miles away

Sturgeon

51.5 miles away

Harrisburg

52.8 miles away

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FAQ about Mussel Fork fishing

📍 Where is the Mussel Fork located?
the Mussel Fork is a stream located in Macon County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Adair County, Missouri. Its coordinates are:
39°50′41.7″N 92°50′18.7″W
.
🎣 Where on the Mussel Fork is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Mussel Fork 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 Mussel Fork?
The most common species in the Mussel Fork are:
📢 What are the latest Mussel Fork fishing reports?
The latest Mussel Fork fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Mussel Fork?

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.

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