American Eel in Missouri
Where american eel live in Missouri, with the rules.
- 50 a daylimit
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Missouri american eel: rules, record, water
For 2026, the Show-Me booklet carries 14 limit rows for american eel. Nongame status puts it in the pooled limit, 50 a day by pole and line, with 6 further methods printed.
No record row read for this site and no lake or stream page names it yet.
american eel in the 2026 Missouri limit table
| Method | Waters | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pole and line, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line | 50 a day | All year | |
| Bow | 20 a day | April 1–Jan. 31 | |
| Bow | 20 a day | Feb. 1–March 31 | |
| Bow | 20 a day | All year | |
| Bow | 20 a day | All year | |
| Bow | 20 a day | All year | |
| Crossbow | 20 a day | All year | |
| Gig, atlatl | 20 a day | Sept. 15–Feb. 15 | |
| Gig, atlatl | 20 a day | Feb. 16–Sept. 14 | |
| Gig, atlatl | 20 a day | All year | |
| Snagging, grabbing | 20 a day | March 15–May 15 and Sept. 15–Feb. 15 | |
| Snagging, grabbing | 20 a day | All year | |
| Snaring | 20 a day | March 15–May 15 and Sept. 15–Feb. 15 | |
| Underwater spear | 20 a day | All year |
Limits and seasons as printed in A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026 (MDC, effective March 1, 2026), page 21 (booklet PDF); retrieved October 27, 2026.
Lakes and streams close to American Eel, pictured
Photo: Chaojoker, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: mostateparks, Public domain
Photo: mostateparks, Public domain
Photo: Teeks99, CC BY-SA 3.0
american eel questions from Show-Me anglers
Is it legal to bag american eel from Missouri water?
Statewide: 50 a day, pooled across nongame fish by pole and line, open all year.
When was the american eel record set in Missouri?
Its record row was not among those read; see the MDC record list.
What Missouri water is a good bet for american eel?
None of the lake or stream pages name it yet.
Do Missouri hatcheries raise american eel?
Nothing in the MDC stocking notes covers it.
Where are american eel rules different in Missouri?
None of the exceptions name it.
Is american eel open all year in Missouri?
Season on the lead row: All year.
Is a fishing permit enough for american eel?
Missouri anglers 16 through 64 carry a fishing permit: $14 a year for residents, $57 for nonresidents, or $9 for a daily permit.
Does MDC allow other methods for american eel?
Rows exist for bow, crossbow, gig, atlatl, pole and line, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, grabbing and snaring.
Pick Missouri water for american eel
Every water above has accesses and limits on its own page.