Catfish fishing in Missouri

Bull Shoals Lake

Lakewide: Ozark and Taney

Daily limit:

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney 

Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions

Lake of the Ozarks

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit:

Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Length limit:

Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

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 Catfish special area restrictions

Mississippi River

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26, the temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City, and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26

Daily limits:

Channel catfish and blue catfish: The daily and possession limit is 20, combined total of these species.

Flathead catfish: The daily and possession limit is 10 fish.

Length limits:

Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler

Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions

Table Rock Lake

Lakewide:

Daily limit: 

Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these species

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions

Truman Lake

On the lake and its tributaries

Daily limit:

Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit, with not more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Size limit:

Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Prohibited 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 Catfish special area restrictions