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  4. Carp fishing in Missouri

Carp fishing in Missouri

Missouri provides strong freshwater fishing opportunities for carp. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state offer reliable action for anglers.

Best baits and lures for Carp in Missouri

According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Carp.

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Biggest Carp catches

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Latest Carp fishing reports in Missouri

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Bighead carp

Alton Slough

length · weight

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Common carp

Twin Oak Park Lake

length · weight

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Silver carp

Salt River

length · weight

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Silver carp

Salt River

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Common carp

Jefferson Lake

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Common carp

Table Rock Lake

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Common carp

Little Blue River Lakes

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Common carp

Smithville Lake

length · weight

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Common carp

Blackwater River

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Common carp

Stockton Lake

27 in · 9 lb

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Regulations for Carp 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 Common carp as of April 6th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Common carp

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

50

Special gear

Aggregate

50

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

Poor

Cyprinus carpio

Regulations for

38°18′16.9″N 92°26′10.5″W
Regulations in the map
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