The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters and anglers that squirrel and black bass season opens May 23, the Saturday before Memorial Day.
The open season on eastern gray and fox squirrels runs May 23 through February 15, 2021. Allowed methods are shotguns, rifles and other legal firearm methods, as well as archery equipment, slingshots or atlatls. The daily limit for hunting and trapping is 10, and the possession limit is 20. Hunters can harvest squirrels with Archery Hunting, Daily Small Game, Small Game Hunting and Fishing, and Small Game Hunting permits.
Squirrels may also be harvested with cage-style traps during the hunting season, as long as hunters have valid permits. Traps must be labeled with the hunter’s full name and address or Conservation Number, be attended daily, and have an opening 144 square inches or smaller.

Anglers may catch-and-keep black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/Kentucky bass, May 23 through February 28, 2021, in most streams south of the Missouri River. Black bass can be caught and released legally throughout the year anywhere in Missouri, and legal-sized bass may be kept all year long from impoundments statewide. In most state waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Fish taken from most rivers and streams must be 12 inches long. Additionally, specific regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.

Photo provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation