2025 Season
Fishing Regulations
Fishing
Paddlefish Snagging Season on Missouri River Shortened by 5 Days
Effective March 20, 2025
Missouri Department of Conservation shortened the paddlefish snagging season on the Missouri River by five days for 2025 to allow a larger proportion of the spawning run to complete reproduction before harvest begins. Missouri River paddlefish stocks have shown reduced spawn success over recent years, partly attributed to altered flow regimes from upstream reservoir operations. The season now opens March 20 (previously March 15) and retains the traditional May 15 close date. The two-paddlefish aggregate season limit is unchanged.
Key Changes:
• Missouri River paddlefish snagging season opens March 20 (previously March 15)
• Season close unchanged: May 15
• Aggregate season limit: 2 paddlefish (unchanged)
• Applies to Missouri River and designated tributary impoundments
• Minimum total length: 36 inches (roe taken only from fish meeting minimum)
• Harvest reporting required within 24 hours of landing paddlefish
Source: Official Missouri Agency ↗
Hunting Regulations
Hunting
CWD Disease Management Area Expanded to 39 Missouri Counties
Effective September 13, 2025
Missouri Department of Conservation expanded the CWD Disease Management Area to 39 counties for the 2025 deer season, following widespread positive CWD detections across central and eastern Missouri in 2024. The expanded DMA encompasses most of the state's highest-deer-density counties. All deer harvested in the DMA are subject to mandatory sampling at check stations during firearms season, and a two-deer bag limit applies within the DMA during the firearms season to encourage sampling compliance. Hunters may still obtain antlerless permits under the existing draw system.
Key Changes:
• CWD Disease Management Area expanded to 39 counties
• Mandatory CWD sampling at check stations during November firearms season
• Two-deer bag limit during firearms season within the DMA
• Urine-based attractants prohibited in the DMA
• Carcass transport restrictions: no high-risk parts outside DMA
• Antlerless permits within DMA still available through draw system
Source: Official Missouri Agency ↗