Potential regulation changes will improve fishing and simplify length and daily limits.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Smallmouth bass and rock bass -- also called goggle eye -- are very popular with anglers on Missouri’s Ozark streams. However, research by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that both species grow slowly and that many do not reach a quality size before dying from natural causes or being caught by anglers.
As a result, many anglers surveyed by MDC have reported that fishing quality for rock bass has declined over the past decade. Many anglers also have responded that the minimum-length limits and daily limits for smallmouth on rivers and creeks varies and can be complicated.
According to MDC fishing regulations, there is no existing statewide minimum length limit for rock bass, but some rivers and creeks in MDC Special Management Areas have an eight-inch minimum. Smallmouth bass have a statewide minimum length limit of 12 inches with a six-fish daily limit, while MDC Special Management Areas have a minimum length limit of 15 or 18 inches with a daily limit of one or two fish.
As a result of research and angler feedback, the Conservation Department is proposing changes to fishing regulations for these two popular game fish that would help grow smallmouth and rock bass while simplifying regulations for smallmouth in MDC Special Management Areas.
For rock bass, MDC research shows that a majority of anglers favor a single, statewide minimum length limit. MDC is proposing setting it at seven inches.
For smallmouth bass, the proposed changes would maintain the current statewide length limit of 12-inches with a daily limit of six fish, but change all Special Management Areas to a 15-inch minimum length limit with a daily limit of one smallmouth bass.
Proposed regulations would also create a new Special Management Area on the Current River and expand the Special Management Areas on the Big Piney, Big River, Jacks Fork, and Meramec rivers.
MDC is seeking public input on these potential regulations changes and will host a series of open houses around the state to provide more information, answer questions, and get public comments. The Department invites anglers and others to stop by the following open houses between 6 and 8 p.m.:
- Sept. 29 in Van Buren at The River Centre at The Landing, 110 E. Carter St.;
- Oct. 1 in Blue Springs at the MDC Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road;
- Oct. 5 in St. Robert at the St. Robert Community Center, 114 J.H. Williamson Drive;
- Oct. 6 in Farmington at the Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 North St.;
- Oct. 8 in Kirkwood at the MDC Powder Valley Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road;
- Oct. 13 in Springfield at the MDC Springfield Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way;
- Oct. 15 in Neosho at the National Fish Hatchery, 520 Park St.; and
- Oct. 19 in Columbia at the MDC Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Road.
MDC is also accepting public comments online at mdc.mo.gov/node/9092 or through U.S. mail to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn: Policy Coordination, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
