Conservation Report
By: Missouri Conservation Agent Shannon Smith
Frogging season begins June 30 at sunset and ends Oct. 31. Missouri has two frog species that are legal game, the bullfrog and green frog. Bullfrogs are larger and therefore more sought-after, however, both species are very similar in appearance.
The daily limit is eight (8) frogs in the aggregate. The possession limit is (16) frogs in the aggregate. Only the daily limit may be possessed on the waters or banks thereof. Daily limits end at midnight, so froggers who get their limits before midnight must remove their frogs from the waters or banks before returning for more.
Frogging can be done with either a fishing permit or a small-game hunting permit. Both resident and nonresident youth under the age of 16 and Missouri residents 65 years of age or older, are not required to have a permit. The permit requirements for taking frogs also apply to farm ponds unless you are the resident landowner or a member of the resident landowner’s household. Those with a fishing permit may take frogs by hand, hand net, gig, bow, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line. With a small game hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using a .22 caliber or smaller rim firerifle or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, or by hand or hand net. The use of an artificial light is permitted when frogging.
Always check regulation signs if taking frogs from area lakes.
