Yes. All participants must complete a liability waiver before boarding the vessel.

Waivers must be completed truthfully and to the best of each participant’s knowledge. This is a required safety and insurance measure for all guided trips.

Waivers may be completed online prior to your scheduled trip.

Open Online Waiver here

Many Missouri waterways are regulated under federal law and require guides who carry passengers for hire to hold a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License.

A licensed captain has completed:

• Federal testing covering navigation, boating regulations, and emergency procedures

• Background screening

• Medical certification

• Drug testing and enrollment in a random testing program

• Ongoing compliance and license renewal requirements

Choosing a licensed captain helps ensure your trip is conducted legally, safely, and with appropriate insurance coverage.

Firehouse Bowfishing is built around professionalism, safety, and consistency.

• All Firehouse captains are U.S. Coast Guard licensed

• All trips are fully insured

• Captains have extensive experience on local Missouri waterways

• Safety briefings and hands-on guidance are provided on every trip

Firehouse Bowfishing works with a network of qualified captains and vessels that meet our licensing, insurance, and safety standards. This allows us to accommodate larger groups while maintaining a consistent guest experience.

Every trip begins with a brief safety orientation and an overview of what to expect.

Bowfishing and Sucker Gigging Trips:

• Meet at the designated boat ramp

• Equipment setup and instruction

• Practice opportunities before starting

• Assistance when landing fish

• Optional fish cleaning at the end of the trip

Most trips last approximately four hours and typically begin around sunset.

Trout Fishing Trips:

• Meet at the designated boat ramp

• Safety briefing and instruction on fishing techniques

• Ongoing guidance throughout the trip

• Assistance landing fish

• Optional fish cleaning at the conclusion of the trip

Bowfishing and Sucker Gigging:
Missouri regulations allow targeting non-game species only, including but not limited to carp, buffalo, suckers, drum, gar, goldfish, shad, frogs, and certain turtle species (bowfishing only). Species availability varies by season and conditions.

Trout Fishing:
Primary target species include rainbow and brown trout. Other species may be encountered depending on conditions and fishing techniques.

We provide all essential fishing equipment, including rods, bows, gigs, tackle, and required safety gear.

Drinking water is provided. Guests are welcome to bring additional food or beverages.

Important notes:

• Missouri law requires children under age seven to wear a life jacket at all times on the boat

• Night trips can become cool, even in summer—jackets and gloves are recommended

• Guests may bring personal fishing equipment if preferred

The U.S. Coast Guard limits each vessel to a maximum of six passengers.

Typical trip capacity per boat:

• Bowfishing: 1–6 guests

• Trout Fishing: 1–4 guests (6 maximum)

• Sucker Gigging: 1–4 guests (6 maximum)

Multiple boats and captains may be available for larger groups.

Bowfishing:
A variety of compound bows, lever bows, and crossbows are available, with adjustable draw weights suitable for adults, youth, and beginners. Left-handed options are available with advance notice. All setups utilize safety-focused reel and arrow systems.

Sucker Gigging:
Custom-built gigging equipment designed for durability, reach, and ease of use.

Trout Fishing:
Ultra-light spinning rod and reel combinations are used, matched to the technique and conditions of the day.

We accept cash and credit card payments.

Credit card transactions are processed securely and may include a processing fee. Electronic invoices may be provided when applicable.

Guests may keep any legally harvestable fish caught during the trip. Fish that fall within protected size or slot limits will be released in accordance with regulations.

Guides can assist with fish cleaning upon request. Guests planning to keep fish should bring a cooler with ice.

Fish that cannot be safely released may be donated locally for consumption or other beneficial uses.

If you would like to be added to our list of fish donations please Contact Us