Fish Utilization Permit

PURPOSE: This rule establishes a utilization permit for the possession, transportation, and donation of fish legally taken, with lethal methods of take, during bona fide fishing tournaments to commercial establishments. It also authorizes the selling of fish to commercial establishments by contractors in a departmentcontracted invasive fish removal project. (1) Fish Utilization Permit. To utilize other fish and invasive fish taken during bona fide fishing tournaments, to possess, transport, and donate such fish to commercial establishments. Application for a permit must be made to the department and postmarked not less than ten (10) days prior to the event. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in permit denial. Issuance of future permits shall be conditioned on compliance with these rules. Permit shall be valid for one (1) event that shall occur within fifteen (15) days of the issue date on the permit. (A) Fish defined as other fish and invasive fish in 3 CSR 1020.805 legally taken by fishing methods prescribed in 3 CSR 10-6.410(7) during a bona fide fishing tournament must be donated to commercial establishments by the permit holder and may be possessed, transported, and donated in accordance with the following: 1. The permit holder shall record and submit a complete and accurate report showing by participant or team the origin (waterbody), weight of each species of all fish taken by each participant or team. Reports must be received by the department within fifteen (15) days of the end of the tournament. Reports shall be mailed to Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. 2. Fish may be possessed, transported, and donated to a commercial establishment by any person when possession is accompanied by a dated written statement showing the utilization permit number, name and address of permit holder, and the weight of each species. (2) Individuals under contract with the department and their authorized assistants may take, possess, and transport invasive fish, common carp, and grass carp in accordance with the terms of the contract during a department sponsored invasive fish removal project, and may donate or sell such fish to a commercial establishment when possession is accompanied by a valid invoice or bill of sale showing the date, name, and address of the contractor, and the weight of each species. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed March 2, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed Jan. 22, 2021, effective Aug. 30, 2021. Amended: Filed May 16, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.