Waterbody · Missouri
Missouri River Fishing Regulations 2026
Missouri River fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are catfish, paddlefish, white bass. 90 current rules across 13 species from Conservation.
Species pages for Missouri River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (90)
Conservation regulates 90 rules across 13 species at this water.
Paddlefish
Osage River From U.s. Highway 54 To The Missouri River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
No person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.
Harry S. Truman Reservoir 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 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
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 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
Little Platte River Between Smithville Dam And U.s. Highway 169Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
Paddlefish may not be possessed on the water or adjacent banks.
Mississippi RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Sep 15
- Season closes
- Dec 15
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
- Possession
- 4 fish
- Gear
- Jug Line
2026
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26Out of season
- Season opens
- Sep 15
- Season closes
- Dec 15
Osage River Below U.s. Highway 54
- 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
Table Rock Lake Lakewide
- Daily bag
- 2 fish/day
No person shall continue to snag, snare, or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.
Table Rock Lake On The Lake And Its Tributaries
- Min size
- 34"
minimum body length, measured from eye to fork of tail
Truman Lake 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
Truman Lake And Its 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
Nongame Fish
Osage River Downstream From U.s. Highway 54 To The Missouri RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Cedar Creek From The Interstate 70 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Blackwater River From The U.s. Highway 65 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Fishing River From The Highway 210 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Gasconade River From The U.s. Highway 50 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Little Blue River From The U.s. Highway 24 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Osage River From U.s. Highway 54 To The Missouri RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Snagging, snaring, and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only.
Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 20 fish/day
- Possession
- 40 fish
- Gear
- Bow
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in all flowing portions. Applies to bowfishing in portions of the Missouri, Mississippi, and St Francis rivers.
Osage River From The No Fishing Zone Below Bagnell Dam To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Perche Creek From The Interstate 70 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Sni-A-Bar Creek From The Confluence With East Sni-A-Bar Creek To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Lamine River From The U.s. Highway 50 Bridge To Its Confluence With The Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.
Blue Catfish
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"
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"
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 20 fish
- Possession
- 20 fish
combined total of these species.
All Species
Osage River Downstream From U.s. Highway 54 To The Missouri RiverOut of season
- Season opens
- Mar 15
- Season closes
- Apr 30
Missouri RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 20 fish/day
- Possession
- 40 fish
- Gear
- Bow
Applies to bowfishing
Flathead Catfish
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 10 fish
- Possession
- 10 fish
Black Bass
Most Streams South Of The Missouri RiverIn season
- Season opens
- May 24
- Season closes
- Feb 28
- Min size
- 12"
2025 2026
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
White Bass
Mississippi River, Including Pools 20–26
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
combined total of these species.
Shovelnose Sturgeon
Missouri River Downstream From Carl R. Noren Access To Chamois AccessCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All shovelnose sturgeon must be returned to the water immediately after being caught.
Alligator Gar
Osage River Downstream From U.s. Highway 54 To The Missouri RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
It is illegal to take and possess them.
Walleye
Missouri RiverOpen
- Status
- Permitted
No seasonal restrictions on the hours for take and possession
Plus 1 more species. See the Missouri pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Missouri River?
Conservation regulates fishing on Missouri River.
What species can I target on Missouri River?
Missouri River is best known for catfish, paddlefish, white bass. 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.