20 | 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 closed area is the north wall of the spillway and immediately below the
Gavins Point Dam powerhouse downstream to a line extending from the east end of the south
cement wall of the discharge canal northwest to the east end of the north wall of the discharge
canal. (See image below.) Also:
• 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.
