Missouri Department of Conservation

Welcome to the Group Fishing Permit Exemption Request Site


This is where a request for an exemption of a fishing permit for students of an educational institution (for educational purposes only) or patients/clients of a therapeutic institution (for therapeutic purposes only) can be submitted. This permit exemption would allow students/patients/clients, under the supervision of an employee of the requesting agency, to fish without having to purchase a fishing permit. The Group Fishing Permit Exemption DOES NOT exempt any supervisors, teachers, aides, parents, guardians, or caretakers from needing to purchase a fishing permit if they plan to fish or aid in the act of fishing with the group. (Aiding in the act of fishing: casting, reeling, or holding the fishing pole for one of the students/patients/ clients.)

When filling out the application for a Group Fishing Permit you will need to have the following information available:

  • The requesting institution’s name, address, phone number, and email address.
  • The supervisor who will be attending the fishing trip(s) with the group.
  • The dates you are wanting to go fishing. This can be a single date or a window of dates. (e.g., September 1, 2024 – or – September 1-30, 2024.) All dates must be within in the same calendar year.
  • The name of the water(s) you wish to fish. Can be up to 10 locations.
  • The county each body of water is located in.
  • If requesting a window of dates, they must be consecutive dates (e.g., May 1-May 15, 2025).

Once the application is received, it will be reviewed and responded to within five (5) business days. Please allow this amount of time when you submit your request. Applications with the expectation of a quicker turnaround time than five (5) business days is not guaranteed to be approved or granted.

A few examples of applications not accepted: School field days, end of the year school field trips, team building trips, family reunions, summer picnics, fishing competitions. If you are unsure if your event would qualify for a Group Fishing Permit, please contact Missouri Department of Conservation Headquarters at 573-751-4115, ext. 3086.

Please note: A Group Fishing Permit Exemption does not allow your group to fish in waters that are not open to public fishing, private bodies of water without proper permissions, or in areas that may be closed for renovations or special events already being held by the Missouri Department of Conservation.


If you are unable to apply online or have questions, contact  Group Fishing Permit


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