ILLINOIS, MISSOURI SIMPLIFY FISHING RULES ON MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi River has become more user friendly for anglers, following an agreement between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The pact, which took effect March 1, allows anglers from either state to fish anywhere in the 331 miles of Illinois-Missouri boundary waters of the Mississippi River or its backwaters.

"Illinoisans can drive across the bridge here and fish from the Missouri bank," said Gene Myers, a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County. "And vice-versa."

Fishery biologists, law enforcement officers and top fisheries administrators from the two agencies developed the agreement to make it easier for anglers to obey fishing regulations.

Conservation officials from both states met Friday at the Cape Girardeau office of the Department of Conservation to discuss the changes.

"We wanted to make sure we're on the same page," Myers said. "The agreement simplified things a lot. We still have some differences -- both states maintain some limits on some species -- but overall, anglers will find fishing in the Mississippi easier and more enjoyable."

Rules more uniform

In the past, regulations were different for almost every sport fish, depending on which state you were fishing in, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning and Missouri Department Conservation Fisheries Division administrator Norm Stucky.

"The new agreement establishes uniform regulations on most methods, seasons, length limits and daily limits for sport fishing on and along the Illinois-Missouri boundary," Manning said. "This new agreement is aimed at eliminating confusion among anglers and law enforcement officers on both sides of the river."

Stucky summed up the change, saying, "It is time that we treat this great river as it truly is -- a single ecosystem in which fish move freely throughout."

Treating the river as one system required Missouri and Illinois officials to define the term "backwater." In Missouri fishing regulations, a backwater is now "any flowing or non-flowing water lying exclusively within the flood plain of a river and connected to that river at any water level below official flood stage." Illinois defines the term more broadly, but Missouri-licensed anglers can enjoy worry-free fishing in Illinois waters that are connected to the Mississippi River at levels below flood stage.

Fewer poles, more hooks

Missouri anglers should be aware, however, that their statewide three-pole limit has been reduced on the Mississippi River. However, the number of hooks they may use on labeled set lines has been increased. As of March 1, not more than two unlabeled poles (formerly three) and not more than 50 hooks (formerly 33) may be used by any person at one time anywhere on the river.

Daily limits were changed on species in both states. Each had their own rules based upon long-standing traditions that were consistent with statewide regulations.

The daily sport fishing limits on Illinois-Missouri boundary waters of the Mississippi River are: 20 channel and blue catfish combined; 10 flathead catfish; six black bass (usually largemouth); 30 white bass and hybrid striped bass combined; eight walleye and sauger combined; one northern pike; 30 white and black crappie combined; two paddlefish (spoonbill); and 100 other fish combined.

Signs informing anglers of the new regulations have been posted at marinas and other points of boater access on the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri.

WANT MORE?

For more information on the Illinois-Missouri boundary waters agreement:

*Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fisheries, (217) 782-6424

*Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Regional Supervisor, (660) 785-2420 ext. 236.