LivewellMissouri · Lake
Lake Buteo
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Buteo, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
What's safe to eat from Lake Buteo
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Missouri's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 4 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Missouri — Missouri DoC