MDC Hunting and Fishing Seasons and Limits

Fishing Seasons

See the Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations for more information.

Open and Upcoming Fishing Seasons
Season Open Date Close Date Bag Limit Possession Limit Comments
Bass
White, yellow, striped and hybrids
Open All Year 15 30 See Wildlife Code for length limits
Black Bass
Impoundments
Open All Year 6 12 See Wildlife Code for length limits
Black Bass
Specified streams
Sat, May 23, 2009 Sun, Feb 28, 2010 6 12 See Wildlife Code for length limits
Bullfrog and Green Frog
Tue, Jun 30, 2009 Sat, Oct 31, 2009 8 16 Season opens at sunset on opening day.
Catfish
Blue
Open All Year 5 10 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other regulations.
Catfish
Channel
Open All Year 10 20 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other regulations.
Catfish
Flathead
Open All Year 5 10 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other regulations.
Crappie
Black and White
Open All Year 30 60 See Wildlife Code for length limits and restrictions on some waters.
Gigging
Non-game fish
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Muskellunge
Open All Year 1 2 See Wildlife Code for length limits
Northern Pike
Open All Year 1 2 See Wildlife Code for length limits
Pickerel
Chain and Grass
Open All Year 6 12
Rock Bass
Goggle-eye and warmouth
Open All Year 15 30 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other regulations.
Snagging
Non-game fish
Sun, Mar 15, 2009
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Fri, May 15, 2009
Sun, Jan 31, 2010
20 40 See Wildlife Code for restrictions on the Mississippi River
Sturgeon
Shovelnose
Open All Year 10 20 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other restrictions
Trout Areas
Open All Year See fishing regulations for seasons and limits
Trout Parks
Sun, Mar 1, 2009 Sat, Oct 31, 2009 4 8 See Wildlife Code for limits
Trout Parks
No Creel
Fri, Nov 13, 2009 Mon, Feb 8, 2010 Catch and release only
Walleye and Sauger
Open All Year 4 8 See Wildlife Code for length limits

Hunting Seasons

See the Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information

Open and Upcoming Hunting Seasons
Season Open Date Close Date Bag Limit Possession Limit Comments
Common Snipe
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 Wed, Dec 16, 2009 8 16
Coyote
Tue, May 12, 2009 Wed, Mar 31, 2010 Any number Any number See Wildlife Code
Restrictions apply during deer and turkey seasons.
Crow
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 Wed, Mar 3, 2010 Any number Any number No limit
Deer
Archery
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Wed, Nov 25, 2009
Fri, Nov 13, 2009
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
Permits and regulations available in July
Deer
Urban
Fri, Oct 9, 2009 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 In eleven counties. Permits and regulations available in July
Deer
Youth
Sat, Oct 31, 2009
Sat, Jan 2, 2010
Sun, Nov 1, 2009
Sun, Jan 3, 2010
Permits and regulations available in July
Deer
Firearms
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 Tue, Nov 24, 2009 Permits and regulations available in July
Deer
Antlerless
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 Sun, Dec 6, 2009 In 73 counties. Permits and regulations available in July
Deer
Muzzleloader
Sat, Dec 19, 2009 Tue, Dec 29, 2009 Permits and regulations available in July
Dove
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 Mon, Nov 9, 2009 15 30
Furbearers
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Groundhog
Mon, May 11, 2009 Tue, Dec 15, 2009 Any number Any number No limit
Pheasant
Youth
Sat, Oct 24, 2009 Sun, Oct 25, 2009 2 4 Northern Zone only.
Pheasant
Northern Zone
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 Fri, Jan 15, 2010 2 4 See Wildlife Code for limits restrictions
Pheasant
Southern Zone
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 Sat, Dec 12, 2009 1 2 See Wildlife Code for limits and restrictions
Quail
Youth
Sat, Oct 24, 2009 Sun, Oct 25, 2009 8 16
Quail
Sun, Nov 1, 2009 Fri, Jan 15, 2010 8 16
Rabbit
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 Mon, Feb 15, 2010 6 12 Swamp rabbits: bag limit 2, possession limit 4
Ruffed Grouse
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 Fri, Jan 15, 2010 2 4 See Wildlife Code for restrictions
Sora and Virginia Rails
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 Mon, Nov 9, 2009 25 25
Squirrel
Sat, May 23, 2009 Mon, Feb 15, 2010 6 12
Turkey
Archery
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Wed, Nov 25, 2009
Fri, Nov 13, 2009
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
Permits and regulations available in July
Turkey
Fall Firearms
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 Sat, Oct 31, 2009 Permits and regulations available in July
Woodcock
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 Sat, Nov 28, 2009 3 6

Waterfowl Seasons

Read the Waterfowl Digest
Get additional waterfowl season and limit information.

Open and Upcoming Waterfowl Seasons
Season Open Date Close Date Bag Limit Possession Limit Comments

Trapping Seasons

See the Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information

Open and Upcoming Trapping Seasons
Season Open Date Close Date Bag Limit Possession Limit Comments
Beaver and Nutria
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 Wed, Mar 31, 2010 Any number Any number See Wildlife Code for limits and restrictions
Furbearers
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Otters and Muskrats
Sun, Nov 15, 2009 Sun, Jan 31, 2010 Closing date varies by location. Otter Management Area E closes on February 20.

Closed Seasons

The following seasons are closed at this time. Check Conservation Actions regularly to see when these seasons will reopen.

Closed Seasons
Season Last Season
Open Date
Last Season
Close Date
Bag Limit Possession Limit Comments
Canada Geese and Brant
Sat, Sep 27, 2008
Sat, Nov 22, 2008
Sun, Oct 5, 2008
Fri, Jan 30, 2009
2 4

Bag limit 3, possession limit 6 in the early season.

Ducks
North
Sat, Oct 25, 2008 Tue, Dec 23, 2008 6 12 See the waterfowl season page for additional information
Ducks
Middle
Sat, Nov 1, 2008 Tue, Dec 30, 2008 6 12 See the waterfowl season page for additional information
Ducks
South
Thu, Nov 27, 2008 Sun, Jan 25, 2009 6 12 See the waterfowl season page for additional information
Light Geese
Sat, Oct 25, 2008 Fri, Jan 30, 2009 20 Snow/Blue/Ross's geese
Light Geese
Conservation Order
Sat, Jan 31, 2009 Thu, Apr 30, 2009 Any number Any number Snow/Blue/Ross's geese
Paddlefish
Sun, Mar 15, 2009 Thu, Apr 30, 2009 2 4 See Wildlife Code for length limits and other restrictions
Snagging
Non-game fish
Sun, Mar 15, 2009
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Fri, May 15, 2009
Sun, Jan 31, 2010
20 40 See Wildlife Code for restrictions on the Mississippi River
Teal
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 Sat, Sep 20, 2008 4 8 Season may be extended or canceled after breeding population estimates are completed in early July. 
Turkey
Youth
Sat, Apr 4, 2009 Sun, Apr 5, 2009 Residents only
See the Spring Turkey Hunting booklet for more information.
Turkey
Spring
Mon, Apr 20, 2009 Sun, May 10, 2009 See the Spring Turkey Hunting booklet for more information.
White-fronted Geese
Sat, Nov 22, 2008 Fri, Jan 30, 2009 2 4
Youth Waterfowl
North
Sat, Oct 18, 2008 Sun, Oct 19, 2008 6 12
Youth Waterfowl
Middle
Sat, Oct 25, 2008 Sun, Oct 26, 2008 6 12
Youth Waterfowl
South
Sat, Nov 22, 2008 Sun, Nov 23, 2008 6 12