Paddlefish snagging season opens Oct. 1 on Missouri River

Paddlefish snagging season on the Missouri River opens Oct. 1, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has several reminders for anglers hoping to fill a tag.

During the season, which runs through Oct. 31, anglers may snag paddlefish and nongame fish from Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734. Legal fishing hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More about the season:

Closed Areas – Snagging is not allowed off the north wall and in the area immediately below Gavins Point Dam powerhouse discharge canal. All inland waters remain closed to paddlefish harvest.

Permits – Snaggers must have an unfilled paddlefish tag and a valid fishing permit, if required, in their possession while fishing. From Gavins Point Dam downstream 0.6 miles, anglers must hold either a Nebraska resident or nonresident snagging permit, or a South Dakota resident permit. South Dakota nonresident permits are valid only downstream of this stretch. A total of 1,600 tags have been authorized, with 1,530 going to residents.

Regulations –

• Only one hook may be used, with a gap no wider than one-half inch.
• Paddlefish between 35 and 45 inches (eye to fork length) must be released immediately.
• Daily bag and possession limits equal the number of tags issued to an angler.
• All anglers must cast for and hook their own fish.
• Gaff hooks or penetrating landing devices are prohibited.

Tagging and Processing – Harvested paddlefish must be tagged immediately in the dorsal fin. Tags must not be altered or locked before attachment. Fish may be processed into two whole fillets only after the fishing trip is complete and upon leaving the river, with the tag and permit kept with the fillets.

Nongame Fish – Discarding nongame fish on the bank is unlawful.

Gavins Point Dam Water Management – Projected dam releases are available here: nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/reports/twregfcast.pdf and on the USACE Omaha District’s Facebook page.

For more information about paddlefish snagging regulations, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.