Waterbody · Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake of the Ozarks fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are largemouth bass, crappie, catfish. 92 current rules across 14 species from Conservation.
Species pages for Lake of the Ozarks
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (92)
Conservation regulates 92 rules across 14 species at this water.
Crappie
Smithville Lake
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
Daily limit of 30 fish may include no more than 15 fish more than 9" in total length.
Wappapello Lake Lakewide
- Daily bag
- 30 fish/day
Daily limit of 30 fish may include no more than 15 fish more than 9" in total length.
Largemouth Bass
All Ozark StreamsIn season
- Season opens
- May 23
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Possession
- 12 fish
- Min size
- 12"
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.
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.
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.
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 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 Catfish
Lake Of The Ozarks On The Lake And Its Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Slot min
- 26"
- Slot max
- 34"
the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34"
Harry S. Truman Reservoir On The Lake And Its Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Slot min
- 26"
- Slot max
- 34"
the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34"
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 20 fish
- Possession
- 20 fish
combined total of these species.
Paddlefish
Lake Of The Ozarks On The Lake And Its Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Min size
- 34"
No person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish. minimum body length, measured from eye to fork of tail
Lake Of The Ozarks From The Downstream End Of The No-Fishing Zone Below Truman Dam Throughout The No-Boating Zone (Look For Signs Andbuoys)Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
Paddlefish may not be possessed.
Lake Of The Ozarks And It Tributaries
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
gigging, snaring, and snagging for any species is not allowed after taking and possessing the daily limit of 2 paddlefish
Flathead Catfish
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
- Possession
- 10 fish
Nongame Fish
Lake Of The OzarksOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Lake Of The Ozarks LakewideOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Snagging, snaring, and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.
All Species
Lake Of The OzarksOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Lake Of The Ozarks Within A Boundary Beginning From The Face Of Truman Dam Downstream Along The Left Descending Bank To The No-Fishingzone Sign At The East Bledsoe Ferry Park, Across The Water In A Straight Line To The No-Fishing Zone Sign At West Bledsoe Ferry Park, Upstream Along The Right Descending Bank To The Face Of The Truman Dam, And Returning To The Point Of Origin Along The Face Of The Truman Dam In The U.s. Army Corps Of Engineers’ Restricted ZoneClosed
- Status
- Closed
Lake Of The Ozarks From The Downstream End Of The No-Fishing Zone Below Truman Dam To U.s. Highway 65Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring, and grabbing are prohibited.
Channel Catfish
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 20 fish
- Possession
- 20 fish
combined total of these species.
Catfish
Bull Shoals Lake Lakewide
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
combined total of blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Norfork Lake Lakewide
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
combined total of blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Table Rock Lake Lakewide
- Daily bag
- 10 fish/day
combined total of blue, channel, and flathead catfish
Alligator Gar
Lake Of The Ozarks And It TributariesClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
It is illegal to take and possess them.
Lake Of The OzarksClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
It is illegal to take and possess them.
Spotted Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Plus 2 more species. See the Missouri pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake of the Ozarks?
Conservation regulates fishing on Lake of the Ozarks.
What species can I target on Lake of the Ozarks?
Lake of the Ozarks is best known for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize Conservation's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.