Fish ID and Measuring
Learn to identify and measure the fish and other aquatic life you catch so you can abide by the seasons, daily limits, length limits, and other regulations. When in doubt a fish's identity or legal length, play it safe, and return the fish to the water unharmed immediately.
How to Measure a Fish
Total length is measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, with the fish laid flat on the ruler, with the mouth closed and the tail lobes pressed together.
Measure a Paddlefish
Paddlefish are measured from the eye to the fork of the tail.
Measure a Shovelnose Sturgeon
Sturgeon are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. Only shovelnose sturgeon are legal to keep.
Missouri Game Fish
This is a list of the more common game fish caught in Missouri. Click on a fish's name to view detailed information about it.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | Pomoxis nigromaculatus | Sunfish |
| Blue Catfish | Ictalurus furcatus | Catfish |
| Brown Trout | Salmo trutta | Trout |
| Chain Pickerel | Esox niger | Pike |
| Channel Catfish | Ictalurus punctatus | Catfish |
| Flathead Catfish | Pylodictis olivaris | Catfish |
| Largemouth Bass | Micropterus salmoides | Sunfish |
| Northern Rock Bass | Ambloplites rupestris | Sunfish |
| Paddlefish | Polyodon spathula | Paddlefish |
| Rainbow Trout | Oncorhynchus mykiss | Trout |
| Sauger | Sander canadensis | Perch |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Scaphirhynchus platorynch | Sturgeon |
| Smallmouth Bass | Micropterus dolomieu | Sunfish |
| Spotted Bass | Micropterus punctulatus | Sunfish |
| Striped Bass and Hybrid Bass | Morone saxatilis | Bass |
| Walleye | Sander vitreus | Perch |
| White Bass and Hybrid Bass | Morone chrysops | Bass |
| White Crappie | Pomoxis annularis | Sunfish |
| Yellow Bass | Morone mississippiensis | Bass |