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
