Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction howdy

I was reading things on this site about Buffalo fish and a few others. I was wondering if any of you know where I can get big mouth , small mouth or black buffalo fingerlings 3 to 4 or more ?

in my state they will only allow you too raise fish that have been purchased from a hatchery...... it doesn't matter how many billion of them are in our lakes or streams .. or how many are bow fished and thrown out...


I need a receipt to try and raise them

I also want to try and raise white suckers if anyone knows how I can get them too. thanks! any help would be greatly appreciated !

Welcome to the forum! Send a PM to Rex (Rainman here on the forum). He's a fish supplier, and is in Missouri. He travels all over, so I'd bet if anyone knew where to get them, he would.

I searched the RSMO statutes and Missouri DNR and MDC Regualations and yes, if caught in Missouri, they'd need a permit or approval from the MDC. It did look like however, if they are caught in another state legally, they are exempt, though as you said nanna, a receipt is needed because by Law, (without some other form of proof on ownership)it is Missouri's


Wildlife of Missouri--ownership and title.
RSMo 252.030. The ownership of and title to all wildlife of and within the state, whether resident, migratory or imported, dead or alive, are hereby declared to be in the state of Missouri. Any person who fails to comply with or who violates this law or any such rules and regulations shall not acquire or enforce any title, ownership or possessory right in any such wildlife; and any person who pursues, takes, kills, possesses or disposes of any such wildlife or attempts to do so, shall be deemed to consent that the title of said wildlife shall be and remain in the state of Missouri, for the purpose of control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation thereof.


All that said and posted, I'd get a permit or approval either way, but I could not locate anyplace that intentionally raises the species mentioned as they are generally considered a "trash fish" and there is no retail market to make it profitable to raise. They are mostly caught in commercial fishing operations where a few are sold to niche markets and the bulk of any caught are sold for fish meal.