Missouri is known as the stream state but unfortunately many of those streams have been altered over the years. The most coveted streams for handfishing are the north Missouri streams that have been the most impacted. The biggest issue with handfishing is removing the fish from a spawning cavity. Once the fish is removed the entire egg mass it is protecting dies. Allowing this practice in streams with limited habitat would only magnify the impacts. In many of the states that allow handfishing, the catfish is not considered a sportfish. In Missouri, catfish usually rank tops among anglers. For more info on handfishing in Missouri see: Why "No" to Noodling? | Missouri Department of Conservation