What's legal

Hi, Barry, According to the regulations Soft plastics which would include the Squirmy worm and the Son of San Juan would fall under are prohibited in the Blue ribbon areas of streams. Foam flies like the Chernobyl Ant and beetles are allowed.

Bill

Great question! This has come up before and we as a group received some clarification on a couple of things that you have asked. Let’s see if I can clarify some of the rules and regulations that many of us do not think about. I say this because I feel that the MDC regulations are poorly written and can be confusing. Especially when you have to look in several areas to confirm a regulation.

To answer your questions. Definition of a Fly — An artificial lure constructed on a single-point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait that is tied, glued, or otherwise permanently attached. Notice that articulated flies are not considered a fly but they are considered a artificial lure. We asked the question to MDC are rubberlegged stoneflies considered “flies”? The answer was yes. But we have not received words on squirmy worm oe Son of San Juan worms. All Foam flies are OK. I will ask the question to MDC and get a definitive answer to the term “soft plastic bait” I do not think it means the Son of San Juan fly but it may make the squirmy worm a non-fly.

Other rules that we don’t think about:
1. During the winter catch and release season, in the trout parks, you need both a fishing permit and a trout permit. If over 65 yrs old you still need a trout permit to fish in the parks. Fishing outside the parks at any time you only need a trout permit if you possess trout EXCEPT when fishing Lake Taneycomo you DO need a trout permit in addition to your fishing permit when fishing from the Table Rock dam to the US Hwy 65 bridge. This includes the areas we fish when we go as a group to fish Lake Taneycomo.

2. In the Trout Red ribbon areas and Trout Blue ribbon areas you can only use flies or artificial lures. If you possess trout know your length limits and how many trout you can possess.

3. In the summer catch and keep season in the state trout parks (including Maramec Spring park) you must have a fishing permit and a park trout tag (trout permit not needed). You can only keep four trout and once you have caught and kept four trout you are done fishing for the day. No culling of trout once you put them on your stringer.

Definitions of bait and lures:(A) Natural and scented baits—A natural
fish food such as bait fish, crayfish, frogs
permitted as bait, grubs, insects, larvae,
worms, salmon eggs, cheese, corn, and other
food substances not containing any ingredient
to stupefy, injure, or kill fish. Does not
include flies or artificial lures. Includes
dough bait, putty or paste-type bait, any substance
designed to attract fish by taste or
smell, and any fly, lure, or bait containing or
used with such substances.
(B) Soft plastic bait (unscented)—Synthetic
eggs, synthetic worms, synthetic grubs, and
soft plastic lures.
(C) Artificial lure—A lure constructed of
any material excluding soft plastic bait and
natural and scented bait as defined in (A) or
(B) above.
(D) Fly—An artificial lure constructed on a
single-point hook, using any material except
soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as
defined in (A) or (B) above, that is tied, glued,
or otherwise permanently attached

I had included the Son of San Juan worm in the soft plastics because of the tying tutorial on our site that called for rubber material. Thank you for getting clarification on the regs from the MDC for us. Many of us don’t even consider calling them when we have questions, In the past, I have called them and they have always been glad to answer any questions.

Bill

We just sent a note to the Missouri Department of Conservation to help us clarify what is the definition of a “plastic bait or rubber bait”. Many of us are wondering if son of San Juan worms or squirmy worms are legal in the fly fishing only areas. Here are the words from MDC. Son of San Juan worms made of rubber or even flexi-floss (spandex) and Squirmy worms (rubber) are NOT legal in the fly only areas. That would be fly only areas at Montauk State Park and other parks that have fly only areas. They are also NOT legal in Blue Ribbon or Red Ribbon areas (Current river/Meramec river). These areas allow flies and artificial lures only which does NOT include rubber or plastic baits or live baits or scented baits. In white ribbon areas all lures are authorized but not bait. Know your ribbon areas and where you are fishing at all times. Rubber-legged stoneflies or other flies tied with some rubber are considered flies if other materials are used in the tying of the fly. Son of San Juan worms (all rubber) and squirmy worms (all rubber) are ONLY tied with rubber material so they are NOT legal in fly only areas, red and blue-ribbon areas or Lake Taneycomo (from the dam to Fall Creek). Don’t throw these “illegal” flies away because you can use them in other states that do not have these restrictive regulations.