TODAY, March 15th is the start of Missouri’s annual spring paddlefish fishing season!
In the state of Missouri, paddlefish snagging season runs March 15th through April 20th for most waters, with the exception being on the Mississippi River with the season running March 15th through May 15th as well as September 15th through December 15th.
According to Missouri Department of Conservation, “…the state’s major paddlefish snagging waters include Lake of the Ozarks, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, and Table Rock Lake. A fishing permit is required, unless exempt. The daily limit is two paddlefish, and the possession limit is four. No person shall continue to snag after taking a daily limit of two paddlefish on these waters. This regulation is new for Table Rock Lake.”
“A new regulation change established a statewide minimum length limit of 32 inches — measured from eye to fork of tail — for sport/recreational taking of paddlefish, up from the previous minimum length of 24 inches for most areas of the state. The existing minimum length limit of 34 inches — measured from eye to fork of tail — will remain in effect for Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, and their tributaries.” – Missouri Department of Conservation
To read more on tips and tricks from the Missouri Department of Conservations on paddlefish season, CLICK HERE.
For more information on paddlefish legal minimum lengths, extracted paddlefish eggs, snagging regulations and reports, CLICK HERE.