Iowa vs Missouri fishing license
For a visitor fishing fresh water for 3 days, Iowa is $6.50 cheaper than Missouri. For a visitor's annual fresh-water license, Iowa is $9 cheaper than Missouri. You need a license from age 16 in Iowa and in Missouri.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Iowa | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $12 | $9 |
| 3 days | $20.50 | $27 |
| 7 days | $37.50 | $57 |
| 1 year | $48 | $57 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $22 | $14 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026 |
Rules side by side
| Iowa | Missouri | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 16 | 16 |
| Senior residents | Resident lifetime fishing license (65 and over): $61.50 (ages 65+) | Free (fresh): Missouri residents aged 65 or over |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Not applicable | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license |
| License on your phone | – | Accepted |
| Annual licenses last | To 01-10 | To Last day of February |
| Last checked | Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Iowa fishing license · Missouri fishing license
Shared waters
Des Moines River (Iowa) (Missouri rules)
Missouri permits are honored on the flowing river and adjacent backwaters or shared oxbow lakes, but not for bank fishing on the Iowa side. Follow the rules of the state you are in, and the stricter rules when in Iowa waters. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Iowa | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Black bass |
| Smallmouth bass |
Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass |
Black bass |
| Trout |
bag 5 (possession 10) |
Rainbow: none. Brown: 15" minimum in streams; bag 4 in total (Statewide; 1 more) |
| Walleye |
Walleye, sauger and saugeye |
Walleye and sauger |
| Crappie |
bag 25 (no possession limit) (Inland waters; 1 more) |
None statewide (many lakes 9" to 10"); bag 30 (15 on many lakes) |
| Catfish |
bag 8 (possession 30) (Inland lakes; 2 more) |
Channel catfish Blue catfish |
| Muskellunge (muskie) |
Muskellunge and hybrid (tiger) muskie |
Muskellunge |
Questions
Is a Iowa fishing license valid in Missouri?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Des Moines River (Iowa).
Which is cheaper for visitors, Iowa or Missouri?
1 day (fresh water): Iowa $12, Missouri $9. 1 year (fresh water): Iowa $48, Missouri $57.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Iowa and Missouri?
You need a license from age 16 in Iowa and in Missouri.