In Missouri, you’ll need a permit to fish in the state unless you qualify for an exemption. The fishing permit is good for fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish and live bait. Besides the general fishing permit, you may also need a permit to fish a particular species.
Who Needs a Fishing Permit in Missouri?
Anyone who fishes, hunts, or traps in Missouri must have the appropriate permit or qualify for an exemption. Certain permits are required based on the activity, such as:
A trout permit is required to keep trout outside a trout park, or to fish in the upper portion of Lake Taneycomo.
A daily trout fishing tag is required in trout parks.
A deer hunting permit is required for deer hunting.
A turkey hunting permit is required for turkey hunting.
A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit is required for dove, snipe, woodcock, and rail hunting, along with a valid small game hunting permit unless exemption qualifications are met.
A Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit, federal duck stamp, and valid small game hunting permit (unless exemption qualifications are met) are required for waterfowl hunting.
Fishing Permit Exemptions in Missouri
You may qualify for a permit exemption for permits other than the ones listed above. Exemptions include:
Resident Landowners: Resident landowners (who own five acres or more) and their immediate households may fish, trap, and hunt (except deer and turkey) on land they own. You must own all of the land around the body of water to qualify for fishing permit exemptions.
Residents age 65 or older: Missouri residents ages 65 or older may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without permit.
Youth age 15 or younger: Anyone age 15 and younger (resident or nonresident) may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) without permit. Youth who are not hunter education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult hunter age 18 or older who has a valid hunter-education card or was born before Jan. 1, 1967. Missouri residents age 15 and younger may trap without permit.
Veterans and Warriors in Transition: Honorably discharged veterans or active personnel who have a service-related disability of 60% or greater, were a prisoner of war during military service, or are assigned as a patient to a Warrior Transition Brigade, Warrior Transition Unit, or military medical center may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without permit. When a hunting permit is required, nonresident veterans who meet the above requirements may purchase resident permits.
Medical Conditions: Missouri residents diagnosed with corrected vision of 20/200 or less, 20 degree or less field of visual concentric contraction, permanently unable to move without the aid of a wheelchair, or diagnosed with cerebral palsy or a mental disability and cannot fish alone (must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler) are exempt from fishing permits. They must carry a statement of eligibility from a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
Lifetime Fishing Permits in Missouri
Missouri residents 65 and older are exempt from needing a fishing permit, but can purchase a lifetime trout permit. The costs for a lifetime fishing permit are:
Youth (0-15): $275.00
Age 16-29: $400.00
Age 30-39: $350.00
Age 40-59: $300.00
Age 60-64: $35.00
This permit carries the same privileges as the Resident Fishing Permit and the Trout Permit.
Trout Permits in Missouri
A Trout Permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where you must purchase a daily trout fishing tag. It is required for all winter fishing in trout parks and for all fishing year-round in Lake Taneycomo upstream from U.S. Highway 65 bridge. You must also have a fishing permit or qualify for an exemption. The costs for a trout permit are:
Resident: $10.00
Nonresident: $10.00
Youth (0-15): $5.00
The trout permit is valid from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 in trout areas, March 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024 in trout parks, and November 10, 2023 to February 12, 2024 for trout catch-and-release.
White River Border Lakes Permit
The White River Border Lakes Permit allows Missouri and Arkansas residents to pursue, take, possess (except trout) and transport fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish, and live bait from the other state’s portion of the impounded waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without purchasing a Nonresident Fishing Permit. You must possess a fishing permit, or qualify for an exemption, issued by your state of residence. The cost for this permit is $10.00 for residents and resident landowners.
Free Fishing Days in Missouri
Any person—without permit or prescribed area daily fishing tag—may fish during Free Fishing Days in Missouri. Also, a fishing permit is not required to fish privately stocked waters. On private licensed trout fishing areas, customers and guests may fish for trout without a permit.
Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit
Missouri residents can purchase a Lifetime Conservation Partner (Hunting and Fishing) Permit which carries the same privileges as the Resident Hunting and Fishing Permit, Trout Permit, Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and Conservation Order Permit. Deer and turkey hunting privileges are not included, and a Federal Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl. The costs for this permit are:
Youth (0-15): $550.00
Age 16-29: $800.00
Age 30-39: $700.00
Age 40-59: $600.00
Age 60-64: $70.00
This permit is not available online or from permit vendors.