This is the Official Missouri Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Missouri state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Missouri Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Missouri state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Missouri fishing reg. books below and accessing the Missouri fishing regs link in the Missouri Guidebooks listed below.
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Missouri regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports.
Weather its Missouri Trout fishing, Missouri bass fishing, Missouri striper fishing, Missouri paddlefish fishing, Missouri Catfish fishing, Missouri aligator gar fishing, Missouri Panfish fishing, Missouri pike/muskie fishing, Missouri Walleye fishing  We have the Missouri state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Missouri fishing maps, Missouri state fishing maps, or just some Missouri fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Missouri Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Missouri, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir, Wappapello Lake and others. Many of the lakes in Missouri have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Missouri is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Walleye fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Catfish, Stripers, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Spotted Gar, Bowfin, Paddlefish and sunfish including Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Missouri by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Missouri.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Missouri area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Missouri

It might be hard to find water in Missouri without at least a few bass. Ideal location and long growing seasons make MO a bass factory. Most rivers, ponds and lakes contain bass. Major lakes including Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir and Wappapello Lake all have excellent populations of bass.

The Missouri state record largemouth bass was caught from Bull Shoals Lake and the state record smallmouth came from Stockton Lake.

Trout Fishing in Missouri - Fly Fishing

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Missouri

Bull Shoals Lake and Table Rock Lake are the only major lakes with a significant population of trout. Some MO streams, rivers and smaller lakes also have trout. This is primarily a bass fishing state but as you can see some very nice trout are caught out of Missouri waters.

The Missouri state record brown trout was caught from Bull Shoals Lake and the state record rainbow trout was pulled from the Roaring River.

Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation for information on trout and trout stocking in Missouri.

Walleye Fishing in Missouri

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Missouri

There is surprisingly good walleye fishing in MO. Major lakes including Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake and Wappapello Lake all have nice populations of walleye. The Missouri state record walleye was caught out of Bull Shoals Lake.

Missouri walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into cold-water feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Missouri walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Missouri

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Missouri

Crappie are everywhere in MO. Ponds, creeks, rivers, parks, small lakes and of course all the major lakes including Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir and Wappapello Lake.

The Missouri state record black crappie and white crappie both came from private ponds.

Catfish Fishing in Missouri

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Missouri

Monster catfish continue to come from the major rivers in MO. Catfish are abundant in major lakes like Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir and Wappapello Lake as well as many of the smaller lakes and ponds.

The Missouri state record blue catfish was caught from the Missouri River and the state record channel catfish came from Lake Jacomo. Montrose Lake gave up the state record flathead catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Missouri for Bluegills, Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other MO Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Missouri and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Missouri

They're everywhere. Literally everywhere. Find fishing waters and you'll fild one or more species of panfish. Due to limited fishing pressure private ponds typically turn out the record size panfish. To fulfill your desire for a big fish fry you might want to look for tight cover on major lakes including Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir and Wappapello Lake.

The Missouri state record bluegill was caught from private pond Bevier, the state record green sunfish was pulled from Stockton Lake, the MO state record redear sunfish came out of Whetstone Creek and the state record yellow perch came from Bull Shoals Lake. Private ponds served up state records for flier sunfish, golden redhorse, hybrid sunfish and warmouth.

Striper Fishing in Missouri

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes In Missouri

Missouri residents are fortunate to have several good fisheries for stripers. Stripers in MO can grow to enormous size and put up quite a tussle. The smaller fish run in big schools, so when you locate them you can catch them in bunches. Major MO lakes with healthy populations of striped bass include Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Table Rock Lake and Thomas Hill Reservoir.

The Missouri state record striped bass was caught from Bull Shoals Lake.

Fishing for other Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Spotted Gar, Bowfin and Paddlefish in Missouri.

Missouri offers unique fishing opportunities. Listed below find information about species of fish found in Missouri which may not be featured in the main section of AA- Fishing.com.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.

Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
World Record:
Its range covers the northeast and into the southeast areas of the United States. It prefers quiet, clear water and backwaters, slow-moving creeks, rivers and sloughs. Named for the dark spots that cover its light-colored body, the spotted gar is a predator feeding on various kinds of fishes, frogs and crustaceans. Like most gar they are hard to catch on hook and line. The best method is live minnows or other small fish. Most spotted gar are taken by bow fishing or spear fishing.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
World Record: Over 600 lbs.
If you didn't know what they were, you might think you caught a shark if you were to land a paddlefish. They have a powerful, sleek body and a tall, rear dorsal fin.
Prefers water temperatures from 50 to 70 degrees. Also known as spoonbill, spoonies, spadefish and shovelnose. They are filter-feeders so catching them with conventional tackle is out of the question. Most are taken with bow and arrow, spears or by snag-fishing with large treble hooks.
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