OutdoorNebraska

22 | Fishing Info: 402-471-0641 SNAGGING PADDLEFISH Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish in the Missouri River is permitted from the Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734. Season – Oct. 1-31 Legal Hours – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Area – The area extending downstream from Gavins Point Dam to a line extending from the east end of the south cement wall of the discharge channel northwest to the east end of the chalk point is closed to snagging. Also: • Snagging off the north wall of the spillway is prohibited. • All inland waters are closed to paddlefish harvest. Requirements – Snaggers must have in their possession an unfilled paddlefish tag while actively snagging, in addition to a valid fishing permit, if required. From Gavins Point Dam to 0.6 miles downstream, snaggers must possess a valid Nebraska resident or Nebraska nonresident snagging permit or a South Dakota resident snagging permit. A South Dakota nonresident fishing permit/tag is not valid in this area. In the remainder of the river open to snagging, South Dakota nonresident permits are valid. Possession – Paddlefish harvested by snagging may be possessed only on the Missouri River during the open season in the designated open area. Minimum Age – Applicants must be 12 years old by Oct. 1 to be eligible to apply for a snagging permit. Hooks – Only one hook may be used when snagging, and the gap between the point of the hook and the shank may not exceed one-half inch. Bag and Possession Limits – The daily bag and possession limits are the total number of tags issued to an individual. Casting and Hooking – All paddlefish anglers are required to cast for and hook their own fish. Length Limit – All paddlefish between 35 and 45 inches long (measured along the centerline of the fish, lying flat, from the front margin of the eye to the natural fork of the tail), must be returned to the water immediately. Gaff Hook – It is unlawful to use a gaff hook or other penetrating device while landing snagged paddlefish. TAGGING, CLEANING AND TRANSPORTATION A paddlefish must be tagged immediately in the dorsal fin with the angler's tag upon addition to the creel. Any paddlefish tag that is locked before attachment, altered or modified shall be void and will not be replaced. Anglers harvesting a paddlefish are allowed to process the fish down to two whole fillets after completion of the fishing trip and upon leaving the Missouri River with both the closed paddlefish tag and paddlefish permit remaining with the fillets. DISCARDING NONGAME FISH It is unlawful to discard nongame fish on the bank.

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