Fishing permit dilemma solved

Known worldwide for great fishing, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes have also been known for a regulatory problem: All three lakes straddle the Missouri-Arkansas border and have water in both states.

As a result, depending on where visitors planned to fish, they needed either a Missouri fishing permit, an Arkansas permit or both

According to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation, beginning March 1 the permit dilemma was solved.

The White River Border Lakes Fishing Permit, a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, will allow anglers to fish all areas of these three border lakes without having to purchase nonresident fishing permits. To buy the $10 permits, anglers must be 16 or older and have valid resident fishing permits from their state or an exemption from their state. The new permit saves anglers more than $20 per year and is available at Missouri and Arkansas vendors.

Anglers are still responsible for following the regulations of the state they are in. However, fisheries biologists from both states have been working to standardize fishing regulations.

For more information, call 417-895-6880.