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Missouri regulations

Smallmouth Bass Regulations in Missouri 2026

Missouri Smallmouth Bass regulations as of 2026-05-08: Possession 12 fish; Season end Feb 28; Season start May 23. Sourced from Conservation.

ConservationVerified Official source

About Smallmouth Bass →

Rules (55)

Missouri statewide
Daily bag
6 fish/day
Impoundments.
All Ozark StreamsOut of season
Season opens
May 23
Season closes
Feb 28
Possession
12 fish
Min size
12"
Big Piney River - Slabtown Access To Gasconade River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Big Piney River From Slabtown Access To The Gasconade River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Big River - Council Bluff Lake Dam To Meramec River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Big River From The Council Bluff Lake Dam To The Meramec River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily and possession limit of 12 black bass, which may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species, may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Big River Mainstem And Its Tributaries, Except As Noted Below
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Blue Springs Creek
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Bourbeuse River Mainstem And Its Tributaries
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Bull Shoals Lake Lakewide
Min size
15"
Courtois Creek Mainstem And Its Tributaries
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Dry Fork Creek Mainstem And Its Tributaries
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Eleven Point River - Thomasville Access To Arkansas Line
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Eleven Point River From Thomasville Access To The Arkansas Line
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Elk River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Gasconade River - Highway Y To Highway D
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Gasconade River From Highway Y In Pulaski County To Highway D In Phelps County
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Harry S. Truman Reservoir Lakewide
Min size
15"
Huzzah Creek Mainstem And Its Tributaries
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Jacks Fork River - Highway 17 To Current River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Jacks Fork River From Highway 17 To The Current River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
James River - Hooten Town Bridge To Highway 413/265 Bridge
Daily bag
1 fish/day
James River From Hooten Town Bridge (The Loop Road At Route O) To The Highway 413/Highway 265 Bridge At Galena
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Joachim Creek - Highway V To Highway A
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Joachim Creek From Jefferson County Highway V Bridge To Highway A Bridge
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Lake Of The Ozarks Lakewide
Min size
15"
Meramec River - Highway 8 To Bird's Nest Railroad
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Meramec River From Highway 8 Bridge To The Railroad Crossing At Bird’s Nest
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
Daily and possession limit of 12 black bass, which may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species, may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Meramec River Mainstem And Its Tributaries, Except As Noted Below
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Mineral Fork - Highway F To Big River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Mineral Fork From Highway F In Washington County To The Big River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
Daily and possession limit of 12 black bass, which may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species, may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Mineral Fork Mainstem And Its Tributaries, Except As Noted Below
Daily bag
6 fish
may include no more than 6 largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, combined total of both species.
Non-Ozark Streams
Possession
12 fish
Norfork Lake Lakewide
Min size
15"
Osage Fork Of The Gasconade River - Skyline Drive To Gasconade River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Osage Fork Of The Gasconade River From Skyline Drive Bridge Near Orla In Laclede County To The Gasconade River
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.
Stockton Lake
Min size
15"
Streams
Min size
12"
Tenmile Creek - Highway B To Cane Creek
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Tenmile Creek From Highway B In Carter County To Cane Creek
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
15"
The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.

Also known as

Smallmouth Bass is also called smallies. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Missouri.

Frequently asked questions

When is Smallmouth Bass season in Missouri?

Smallmouth Bass season in Missouri runs from May 23 to Feb 28 per Conservation.

What is the size limit for Smallmouth Bass in Missouri?

Minimum size for Smallmouth Bass in Missouri is 12 inches in All Ozark Streams, per Conservation. Slot limits or maximum sizes may apply in some zones.

What is the daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in Missouri?

Daily bag limit for Smallmouth Bass in Missouri is 1 fish/day in Big Piney River - Slabtown Access To Gasconade River, per Conservation.

Official sources cited

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with Conservation before keeping a catch. Last verified .

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