A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations Effective March 1, 2021 NOPPADOL PAOTHONG NOPPADOL Conservation Department Offices Director, Department of Conservation Sara Parker Pauley The Conservation Commission Don C. Bedell Steven D. Harrison Mark L. McHenry Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln Missouri Department of Conservation PO Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 573-751-4115 mdc.mo.gov Central Region Northwest Region Southwest Region Equal opportunity to participate in 3500 East Gans Road 701 James McCarthy Drive 2630 N. Mayfair and benefit from programs of the Columbia, MO 65201 St. Joseph, MO 64507 Springfield, MO 65803 Missouri Department of Conservation 573-815-7900 816-271-3100 417-895-6880 is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, Kansas City Region Ozark Region St. Louis Region national origin, sex, ancestry, age, 12405 SE Ranson Road 551 Joe Jones Blvd. 2360 Highway D sexual orientation, veteran status, or Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 West Plains, MO 65775 St. Charles, MO 63304 disability. Questions should be directed 816-622-0900 417-256-7161 636-441-4554 to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Northeast Region Southeast Region 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 3500 S. Baltimore 2302 County Park Drive (TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Kirksville, MO 63501 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department 660-785-2420 573-290-5730 of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. To report poaching or game-law violations, call Operation Game Thief 800-392-1111 Rewards are available for information leading to the arrest of game-law violators. You can remain anonymous. 2 A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2021 Table of Contents 4 Permits Sport Fishing in Missouri When it comes to fishing, Missouri has a lot to offer. More than 4 Permits — General Information 200 species of fish live in the Show-Me State, and more than 5 Purchasing Permits four dozen species offer opportunities for anglers. Seasons are long, and daily limits are generous. Regulations exist 6 Missouri Fishing Permits to improve and maintain the quality of fishing, ensure that everyone has an equal chance of catching fish, and protect 8 General Information aquatic resources. 8 Methods The Wildlife Code of Missouri is a permissive code. This means that you may take or attempt to take only those spe- 9 How to Measure a Fish cies of fish and other aquatic wildlife permitted by the Code, 10 Reciprocal Fishing Privileges with only by permitted methods, and only at the times and under the circumstances mentioned. Other States A permissive code means that rather than giving you an 11 Definitions endless list of “thou shalt nots,” we tell you what you may do. The reason for this is to make access to Missouri fishing as fair 12 Fish Consumption Advisory and as uncomplicated as possible. 14 Fishes of Missouri In Your Hands 20 Seasons and Limits The information in this booklet is only a summary of the fish- ing rules and contains only those rules that affect the ordinary 20 Game Fish sport angler. It is NOT a legal document and is subject to 21 Nongame Fish revision during the current year. Refer to the Wildlife Code of Missouri or the Missouri Code of State Regulations for complete 22 Live Bait rules at sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3csr.asp. 22 Bullfrogs and Green Frogs 22 Mussels and Clams 22 Turtles 24 Trout 28 Special Regulations on Large Lakes What’s New for 2021? 30 Special Regulations on Rivers and Streams ◾ If you catch an alligator gar, you must return it to the water unharmed immediately. This regulation was put in place to protect recovering alligator gar populations. ◾ You may now take nongame fish by bow at all hours of the day on additional rivers and streams. See pages 30–35. ◾ Trout fishing restrictions have been removed from Roubidoux Creek. Statewide limits and methods now apply on all portions of the stream. Don’t Trash Nature Note: According to rule 3 CSR 10-5.216 of the Wildlife Littering is illegal. It also harms wildlife and destroys the Code of Missouri, if you have been convicted of multiple beauty of natural areas. Pack out empty bait contain- or major violations of the Code in the past five years, the ers, fishing line, and other trash, and dispose of it in a Conservation Commission may consider suspending or proper receptacle. Carry a plastic grocery sack when you revoking your hunting, trapping, and/or fishing privi- go afield so you can pick up litter left behind by less- leges regardless of any previous court action. The point conscientious users. Let’s all pitch in to keep our wild system the Commission uses to assess Code violations is places looking wild. explained at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZkV. A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2021 3 Permits — General Information nyone who fishes must have the appropriate life- time, annual, or daily fishing permit or qualify for an Permit Obligations Aexemption. Accepting a permit means that you: ◾ Agree to observe all the rules of the Wildlife Code of Permit Exemptions Missouri. The following anglers qualify for a fishing permit exemption, ◾ Will not loan your permit to another. but must purchase a daily trout fishing tag or trout permit ◾ Will allow inspection of your permit, picture identification, when or where required: catch, and equipment by an agent of the Conservation ◾ Any Missouri resident landowner and all members of their Department. immediate households (see definition on Page 11) when ◾ Will sign and carry your permit in either paper, plastic, fishing on the land they own. or electronic format while fishing. If you purchased your ◾ Any Missouri resident (whether or not meeting the defi- permit by telephone and have not yet received it, you must nition of a landowner) who owns land that completely carry the permit authorization number and picture identifi- encloses a body of water, or any member of his or her cation with you while fishing until your permit arrives. immediate household, when fishing in those waters. Who may purchase resident permits? ◾ Any Missouri resident 65 years of age or older. PERMITS ◾ Any person (resident or nonresident) 15 years of age ◾ Any person who does not claim resident privileges in or younger. Youth who are fishing without a permit are another state or country, and whose actual residence and limited to the following methods: pole and line, gig, bow, legal permanent home address are both in Missouri, and crossbow, snaring, grabbing, and snagging. have been for at least 30 days before applying for the per- ◾ Any Missouri resident with a visual acuity not exceeding mit. Owning real estate or attending a Missouri school does 20/200 in the better eye with maximum correction, or not in itself make you a legal resident. having 20 degree or less field of visual concentric contrac- ◾ Missouri residents employed by the United States in the tion. Must carry a certified statement of eligibility from a District of Columbia or serving in the U.S. armed forces. licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician. (Immediate family members who reside with them also ◾ Any Missouri resident who is so severely and permanently may purchase resident permits.) disabled as to be unable to move freely without the aid of ◾ All members of the U.S. armed forces stationed and resid- a wheelchair. Must carry a certified statement of eligibility ing in Missouri on permanent change-of-station status and from a licensed physician. immediate family members residing with them. ◾ Any Missouri resident with cerebral palsy or a mental disor- ◾ Nonresidents who are registered students attending a der or illness as defined in Missouri Revised Statutes, section public or private secondary, postsecondary, or vocational 630.005, and who is so severely disabled that he or she can- school in Missouri and who live in Missouri while attending not fish alone. Must be accompanied by a licensed adult school; must carry evidence of a Missouri residence and angler and must possess a certified statement of eligibility student status, such as a student ID, while fishing. Note: from a licensed physician qualified to evaluate and treat Nonresident students who qualify for resident permits the developmentally disabled. must purchase them in person, over the phone, or through ◾ Any resident or nonresident who is an honorably dis- the mail from Conservation Department offices. charged veteran who has a service-related disability of 60 ◾ Immigrants who possess an I-551 Resident Alien Card from percent or greater, or who was a prisoner of war during the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and who military service. Must carry a certified statement of eligibil- do not claim resident privileges in another state or country, ity from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. and whose actual residence and legal permanent home ◾ Any member of the U.S. military currently assigned as a address are both in Missouri, and have been for at least 30 patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition days before purchasing a permit. Unit, or a military medical center. Must carry orders show- ing such assignment. Free Fishing Days Free Fishing Lessons for Kids and Families Any person — without permit or prescribed area daily fishing Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun tag — may fish during Free Fishing Days, June 12 and 13, outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy 2021. On private, licensed trout-fishing areas, customers and memories together. The Discover Nature — Fishing pro- guests may fish for trout without a permit.