Field Trip Guidelines to Reserve a Lake at August A. Busch Conservation Area

August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area • Aquatic Resource Education Program

INTRODUCTION: Lakes 1, 2, and 15 are reserved for school classes. Other supervised youth and disabled user groups may schedule these lakes for educational fishing events when lakes are not scheduled by schools. These lakes provide an ideal setting for aquatic studies. The Education Consultants and Fisheries Management Biologists serving Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties hope that you will take advantage of these lakes to provide your participants with many worthwhile and enjoyable experiences.

GUIDELINES: The following guidelines will help to ensure a positive experience for your group. PLEASE READ ALL EIGHT GUIDELINES BEFORE YOUR TRIP.

  1. If you plan to use Lake 1, 2, or 15, contact the Busch Area office (636) 441-4554 no later than November 30th of each year to set field trip dates for the following spring and , when possible, the fall of the following school year. Information needed to reserve a lake includes:
    • school or group name,
    • Instructor or Leader name,
    • number of participants - both students and parents/leaders,
    • field trip date or dates, and preferred lake.
    The Busch Office staff are available to assist with lake reservations Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Due to the demand, rain dates may not be scheduled.
  2. Attached is a "Fishing Field Trip Report Form". Upon check out, this form must be completed and returned to the office. This will help the Fisheries Management Biologists better monitor the lakes for future use. Failure to do so may jeopardize your group's future use of these lakes.
  3. No fishing is permitted after the students leave. In addition, a valid Missouri Fishing permit is REQUIRED for all individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 who will be fishing or assisting with a fishing station. Members of your group that are 15 years old or younger AND anyone 65 years old or older are NOT REQUIRED to have fishing permits. Remember, this field trip is for the students, not an opportunity for the parents and leaders to fish!
  4. "Catch-and-Release" of all fish is required for Lakes 1,2, and 15. This allows schools and other groups the opportunity for a successful experience. Field trips should emphasize knowledge gained from interacting with the aquatic environment rather than simply "catching fish". The exception to "Catch-and-Release" is one (1) fish for every ten (10) students may be harvested for demonstration purposes at a fish preparation learning station. Remember, bass need to be 15" to keep. If a fish swallows a hook that cannot be removed without injury to the fish, the line should be cut as close to the hook as possible and the fish returned to the lake. The stomach juices will, in time, dissolve the hook. In addition, all participants should be reminded to handle fish with wet hands to ensure that the protective coating of slime on the fish is not removed.
  5. Schools and user groups are responsible for providing rods, reels, bait, and tackle for ALL participants. Bait and snacks are sold at the Busch Lodge April 1 to September 30.
    Information on Zebco's "Loaner Rod and Reel Program" is available upon request (or through your local Education Consultant.)
  6. Your group is responsible for cleaning your lake site. Please thoroughly inspect the area for trash before leaving. A trash dumpster is located at Lake 15.
  7. Students and participants need to be supervised at all times. If students decide not to fish, it is your responsibility to provide alternative activities so that the other participants fishing are not disrupted.
  8. Maximum benefits from the use of these lakes will result if students and leaders receive instruction and training prior to the field trip. Your local Education Consultant is available for consultation and/or training. For a packet of pre-visit information such as "Fishing For Answers", "Fishing Is Fun For Everyone", and "Missouri Fishes" please ask for a leader's packet when you call to reserve a lake. It is highly recommended that parents and grandparents be invited to assist with the aquatic studies and other activities at the field trip site. Unless advanced arrangements have been made with an Education Consultant prior to your visit, reservation of Lakes 1, 2, or 15 does not include having a Conservation Department instructor.

If you are unable to attend on the date(s) for which you are scheduled, please call the Busch Conservation Area at (636) 441-4554 to cancel your reservation. This will allow other schools/groups to use the lakes.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ALL TEACHERS, STAFF, AND PARENTS WHO WILL BE ASSISTING WITH YOUR FIELD TRIP.

Download the field trip form.