FIRST REGULAR SESSION
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES QUINN (Sponsor), SANDER, HOBBS, WHORTON, LeVOTA,
SCHAD, JONES (117), WALLACE, MUNZLINGER, SHOEMYER, HARRIS (110), BROWN (30),
PARSON, CHINN AND NANCE (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time March 3, 2005 and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 252, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to hand fishing, with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 252, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 252.250, to read as follows:
252.250. 1. Nothing in section 252.040 shall preclude a person from hand fishing for catfish or carp in the months of June and July in the state of Missouri under regulation by the Missouri department of conservation.
2. Hand fishing shall be legal twenty-four hours a day in all waters within the jurisdiction of this state that are currently open for hook and line fishing of catfish and carp, as provided in this chapter.
3. Any person engaging in hand fishing shall be limited to the taking of no more than five catfish per season. The department of conservation shall have the authority to increase the season limits using information contained in reports submitted by persons engaged in hand fishing each year as they are established in this subsection and studies conducted by the department. Within ten days following the close of the season, a complete report on a form furnished by the department shall be submitted by any person taking catfish by hand. Failure to submit an accurate and complete annual report shall be sufficient cause for denial of a fishing permit the following season. Any person engaging in hand fishing for carp shall not be bound by the requirements of this section for catfish.
4. Any person engaging in hand fishing shall use only his or her bare hands to do so; no hooks, poles or ropes with hooks attached, gaffs, spears, nets, or other man-made devices shall be used. Any person engaging in hand fishing shall not use any scuba equipment, air hose, or other artificial breathing apparatus, a person shall not place any artificial structures in the water or alter any natural or artificial structures, and a person shall not raise any part of a natural or artificial structure out of the water to aid in the taking of carp or catfish by hand fishing.
5. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.