Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish

PURPOSE: This rule establishes seasons, methods and limits for taking catfish. (1) Daily Limit: Ten (10) channel catfish, five (5) blue catfish, and five (5) flathead catfish, except— (A) On Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries and Harry S. Truman Reservoir and its tributaries, the daily and possession limit of blue catfish is ten (10). (B) On Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, and Table Rock Lake, the daily limit of channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish is ten (10) in the aggregate. (C) On the Mississippi River, the daily and possession limit is twenty (20) channel catfish and blue catfish in the aggregate and ten (10) flathead catfish. (2) Methods: Pole and line, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, or jug line. (3) Seasons: Throughout the year. (4) Length Limits: No length limits, except— (A) On Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries and Harry S. Truman Reservoir and its tributaries, blue catfish twenty-six inches (26") to thirty-four inches (34") in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. The daily limit may not contain more than two (2) blue catfish more than thirty-four inches (34") in total length. (B) On Mark Twain Lake, blue catfish and flathead catfish less than twenty-six inches (26") in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed June 13, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995. Amended: Filed May 30, 1995, effective Jan. 1, 1996. Amended: Filed June 11, 1997, effective March 1, 1998. Amended: Filed May 10, 1999, effective March 1, 2000. Amended: Filed April 24, 2000, effective March 1, 2001. Amended: Filed Oct. 9, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Sept. 29, 2004, effective Feb. 28, 2005. Amended: Filed Sept. 14, 2005, effective Feb. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 28, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2013, effective March 1, 2014. Amended: Filed Aug. 27, 2021, effective Feb. 28, 2022. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.