Fishing Methods

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the methods by which fishermen may take fish. (1) Fish may be taken by the use of pole and line, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, gig, bow, crossbow, underwater spearfishing, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or atlatl, but only as specifically authorized in 3 CSR 10-6.415 through 3 CSR 10-6.550. No person may attempt to take fish by rock or hand fishing, with or without hook. Live bait, mussels, clams, bullfrogs, green frogs, common snapping turtles, and soft-shelled turtles may be taken only as specifically authorized in 3 CSR 10-6.605 through 3 CSR 10-6.620. (2) Number of Poles and Hooks. (A) Not more than three (3) unlabeled poles and not more than thirty-three (33) hooks in the aggregate, for any or all methods, may be used by any person at one (1) time. (B) On the Mississippi River, not more than two (2) unlabeled poles and not more than fifty (50) hooks in the aggregate may be used by any person at one (1) time. While fishing concurrently on the Mississippi River and other Missouri waters, not more than fifty (50) hooks in the aggregate may be used and not more than thirty-three (33) of those hooks may be used in waters other than the Mississippi River. (C) Trotlines and throwlines of more than one (1) individual may be joined together, but the number of hooks in the aggregate shall not exceed the prescribed number for one (1) individual on the waters that are being fished, and the lines must be labeled with each person’s full name and address or Conservation Number. (3) Hooks attached to throwlines or trotlines shall be staged not less than two feet (2') apart. (4) Live bait traps, hooks, trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, or anchored jug lines (rendered immobile from the location where set) may not be left unattended for more than twenty-four (24) hours or must be completely removed. Unanchored jug lines in streams must be attended at all times by the permittee’s immediate presence. Unanchored jug lines in impounded waters must be attended by the permittee’s immediate presence at least one (1) time per hour. For purposes of this section, immediate presence is defined as within sight of the location of equipment in order to personally claim or identify such equipment during inspection by an agent of the department. (5) No person may use any explosive, poison, chemical, electrical device, or equipment capable of transmitting underwater signals to kill, attempt to kill, or stupefy fish, and no material and equipment may be possessed for those purposes on waters of the state or adjacent banks. (6) Fish not hooked in the mouth or jaw, except those legally taken by atlatl, snagging, snaring, grabbing, gig, bow, crossbow, or underwater spearfishing must be returned to the water unharmed immediately. (7) Fish legally taken by snagging, snaring, grabbing, atlatl, gig, bow, crossbow, or underwater spearfishing shall be retained by the taker and included in the prescribed daily limit. (8) Live bait traps, trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, and live boxes shall be plainly labeled on a durable material with the full name and address or Conservation Number of the person using the equipment. (9) Spears propelled by explosive substances may not be used. (10) Spearguns may not be possessed on unimpounded waters or adjacent banks. (11) Except as provided in 3 CSR 10-6.605, fish traps, including slat traps and wire traps, may not be possessed on waters of the state or adjacent banks. (12) As an aid to fishing methods, an artificial light may be used only above the water surface, except that underwater lights may be used to attract fish while fishing by pole and line and when bowfishing on impoundments as authorized by 3 CSR 10-6.550. (13) Endangered species and fish included in 3 CSR 10-6.505 through 3 CSR 10-6.545, including their parts and eggs, may not be used for bait. (14) The director may issue special authorization to properly licensed persons with disabilities to pursue and take fish, mussels and clams, bullfrogs and green frogs, turtles and live bait by methods not prescribed in this chapter and Chapters 11 and 12 if the disability prevents fishing by prescribed methods. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.240, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed June 13, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed April 24, 2000, effective March 1, 2001. Amended: Filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Jan. 31, 2005, effective June 30, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 14, 2005, effective Feb. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed April 23, 2007, effective May 7, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 2009, effective March 1, 2010. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 2010, effective March 1, 2011. *Original authority: 252.240, RSMo 1972, amended 1984.