Thousands of snaggers are itching for the start of an ancient sport this weekend: Missouri’s annual paddlefish season.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says snagging season on the state’s major paddlefish waters opens Sunday, March 15, and runs through April 30. Key destinations include Lake of the Ozarks, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, and Table Rock Lake, which typically attract large numbers of snaggers each spring.
Paddlefish — Missouri’s official state aquatic animal also known as spoonbill — are prehistoric fish whose ancestors swam during the time of dinosaurs. The fish are known for their long, paddle-shaped snouts and can grow up to seven feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds.
Because paddlefish feed primarily on tiny crustaceans and insects, they do not bite traditional fishing hooks. Instead, anglers catch them by snagging, a method that uses large hooks dragged through the water to hook the fish in the body.
During the season, conservation staff will be stationed at reservoir boat ramps to collect data, interview anglers, and measure harvested fish. The department also tags paddlefish in several lakes to track populations and improve management. Some tagged fish carry reward tags worth $25 or $75 if reported.
Snaggers must have a valid fishing permit unless exempt. The daily limit is two paddlefish, with a possession limit of four. A statewide minimum length of 32 inches applies, though the minimum is 34 inches at Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Table Rock Lake, and their tributaries.
Officials say anglers must immediately release any fish below the minimum length and keep all legal-sized paddlefish they harvest. Cleaning fish on the water and transporting only fillets or eggs is illegal under state regulations aimed at preventing illegal caviar trade and ensuring conservation officers can verify length limits.
More information about paddlefish snagging season is available through the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
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