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Missouri River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Missouri, United States

4.8·1914 catches

Top fish species at Missouri River

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Check which species have trophy potential in Missouri River

Missouri River fishing reports

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Striped bass

length · weight

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Channel catfish

length · weight

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Freshwater drum

length · weight

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Smallmouth buffalo

length · weight

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Flathead catfish

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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General info

Missouri River is a stream located in Platte County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Atchison County, Kansas and Andrew County, Missouri. It is most popular for fishing Blue catfish, Channel catfish, and Flathead catfish.

Location

39°31′33.7″N 95°05′42.4″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Missouri River, 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
Blue catfish

Blue catfish

Regulation boundaryKansas State Waters
Bag limit5

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Additional information
No size limit. No closed season.Site-specific Exceptions: Bag limit = 10 blue catfish per person per dayCaney River and all its tributariesLittle Caney River and all its tributariesVerdigris River from Ok-KS line to Tronto Reservoir Dam and all tributaries including Elk River to Elk City Reservoir damFall River to Fall River Reservoir Dam and Big Hill Creek to Big Hill Reservoir DamNeosho River from OK-KS line to John Redmond Reservoir Dam and all tributaries including Labette creek to Parsons City Lake DamWolf Creek to Coffey County Lake DamArkansas River form OK-KS line to 21st Street North Dam (Witchita)Ninnescah River from confluence with Arkansas River to confluence with South Fork of Ninnescah RiverSouth Fork of Ninnescah River to Kingman Citny Lake DamFor site-specific regulations that apply in specified reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community lakes, see Northwest RegionNortheast RegionSouthwest RegionSouth Central RegionSoutheast Region
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Ictalurus furcatus
Season open: year-round
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryKS Missouri River
Bag limit10

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 size15" (Total Length)

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

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
Season open: year-round
Flathead catfish

Flathead catfish

Regulation boundaryKansas State Waters
Bag limit5

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.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

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

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Additional information
No size limit. No closed season.For site-specific regulations that apply in specified reservoirs, state fishing lakes, and community lakes, see Northwest RegionNortheast RegionSouthwest RegionSouth Central RegionSoutheast Region
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Pylodictis olivaris
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Local laws and licenses

Missouri fishing license

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Reviews of Missouri River

4.8
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14 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Atchison

3.4 miles away

Rushville

5.7 miles away

Iatan

6.7 miles away

De Kalb

10.1 miles away

Easton

12.5 miles away

Weston

14.0 miles away

Nortonville

14.7 miles away

Huron

15.7 miles away

Effingham

16.1 miles away

Faucett

16.7 miles away

Leavenworth

16.7 miles away

Winchester

16.8 miles away

Denton

17.0 miles away

Dearborn

17.1 miles away

Troy

17.9 miles away

Wathena

18.2 miles away

Severance

18.5 miles away

Tracy

19.1 miles away

Elwood

19.1 miles away

Camden Point

19.1 miles away

Agency

20.5 miles away

St. Joseph

21.8 miles away

Muscotah

22.7 miles away

Valley Falls

23.4 miles away

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FAQ about Missouri River fishing

📍 Where is the Missouri River located?
the Missouri River is a stream located in Platte County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Atchison County, Kansas and Andrew County, Missouri. Its coordinates are:
39°31′33.7″N 95°05′42.4″W
.
🎣 Where on the Missouri River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Missouri River 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 Missouri River?
The most common species in the Missouri River are:
📢 What are the latest Missouri River fishing reports?
The latest Missouri River fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Missouri River?

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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