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A trout permit is required to keep trout from any state waters or to fish in the tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek. Anglers under 16 or holders of the $1,000 Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit do not need a trout permit. License requirements are on Page 6.
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Trout may not be driven, harassed or pursued with noise, objects, boats or by wading to concentrate them.
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A guide may not give away his or her fish if it causes the recipient to exceed his or her daily limit.
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Trout that are filleted or have head or tail removed may not be in possession while fishing from the shore, boat or transporting fish by boat on trout waters.
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Anglers may not cull rainbow trout. Once an angler has retained a rainbow trout on a stringer, in a livewell or in a fish basket, the rainbow trout may not be subsequently released. The only exception is that a rainbow trout longer than 16 inches may be temporarily retained in a livewell for measuring, weighing and photographing before being released when fishing Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters (except in catch-and-release areas).
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Trout may not be used as bait.
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Chumming is not allowed in trout waters designated with special regulations such as catchand- release areas, artificial lures only areas and areas where natural or scented baits are prohibited. Chumming is allowed in all waters except those listed above. Chumming is defined as dislodging or depositing any substance not attached to a hook which may attract fish. Chumming in catch-andrelease areas is prohibited because normal trout feeding behavior can be disrupted and the stream environment can be damaged. One common example of chumming is tossing canned corn into the water to stimulate feeding. The technique of dislodging material from the streambed to attract trout, known as the “San Juan Shuffle,” is also considered chumming.