Fishing is a great way to spend time with family and friends creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it's a full-blown vacation or a quiet Saturday morning, fishing can get you away from it all. All you need is a pole, a line, a hook, some bait, and a permit.
No matter where you live in Missouri, a great fishing trip is close to home. Check Places to Go for conservation areas with fishing opportunities near you.
Guidelines for Fishing on MDC Areas
Have the Right Equipment
Essential equipment includes a rod, reel, hook, line, and lure. Check the fishing gear page to see if you have the correct equipment.
Apply Bug Spray and Sunscreen
In addition to sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses can protect you from too much sun and the glare reflecting off the water.
Bring a First Aid Kit
Put your kit in a waterproof case, especially if you are fishing from a boat. Be sure to include the basics in your kit: bandages, sterile pads, pain relievers, disinfectant, and an antibiotic cream.
Get your fishing permit.
You can purchase permits online or in most Missouri sporting goods stores.
Follow Fishing Etiquette
- Some fishing locations are more popular than others, so when you find yourself sharing the space with fellow anglers, make sure you are respecting them and the outdoor area to ensure everyone has the best fishing experience.
- Be aware of fishing seasons, area-specific regulations, and creel limits (the maximum amount of fish you can catch). Creel limits vary by conservation area and are posted on signs near conservation area parking lots.
- Leave no trace. Properly dispose of your fishing line, lures, trash, and food waste in a trash receptacle. Littering can harm both land and aquatic wildlife and habitats.
- Be a good steward and dispose of bait properly. Dumping bait can result in the introduction of an invasive animal. Invasive species can harm native wildlife and habitats and impact the ability humans have to do their favorite outdoor activities, such as fishing.
Great Places for
Events
The All About Trout program is exactly what it sounds like... Its everything to do with trout!
We will cover what trout are, where they come from, what makes them special, techniques to catch them, where you can catch them, and many other trout related topics!
We will be fishing in the winter weather so please dress appropriately for the elements.
All gear is provided!
Come wet a line this winter and learn about a species that is adored all over the planet!
The All About Trout program is exactly what it sounds like... Its everything to do with trout!
We will cover what trout are, where they come from, what makes them special, techniques to catch them, where you can catch them, and many other trout related topics!
We will be fishing in the winter weather so please dress appropriately for the elements.
All gear is provided!
Come wet a line this winter and learn about a species that is adored all over the planet!
Looking to fish this winter? Look no further than TROUT! Trout are an abundant fish to catch here in the St. Louis area thanks to our Winter Trout Stocking Program put on by the Missouri Department of Conservation. With MDC stocking thousands every year, anglers from all over come to catch their share of what the department offers. Sure, catching trout is fun and all, but harvesting them brings the whole program full circle, makes for more rounded anglers, and feeds many every single winter!
In this class we will be learning how to target trout habitat, use certain lures, how to properly net your fish, and then we will be preparing them for the grill!
Please note that we will be actively fishing in the winter elements. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring anything you may need to be comfortable (I.e. food/snacks and water)
Please also note that YOU will be harvesting and preparing these fish. This is the only way to properly learn. We will teach you each step of the process, but participants will be required to prepare their own fish.
If you want to get into trout fishing and learn how to harvest them at the same time, this is the program for you!
"Give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Teach the person to fish, they eat for a lifetime."
Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 17) at Bennett Spring State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran or active duty serviceperson to get out and fish! Missouri offers tremendous trout park fishing opportunities and Bennett Spring proudly sponsors this event and an opportunity to fish for FREE.
At Veterans’ Fishing Day, fishing is free and there is no license or daily tag fee. All veterans can pick up free trout tags at the park store on the Friday evening before or anytime on Saturday during the event. Fishing hours for the event will be 7 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.
During the event a part of the park’s Zone 2 fishing area will be specially stocked and reserved for anglers who are veterans. Adjacent to the fishing area, volunteers will be hosting a hospitality tent featuring fly tying demos, lessons, casting instruction, and the latest adaptive fishing equipment.
If you are interested in trout fishing, come out and fish with one of our heroes on the water – many volunteers will be on hand to show you the ropes! Not quite sure, practice with some of the casting games on the lawn or tie up a fly.
For more information, please contact Ben Havens at Ben.Havens@mdc.mo.gov or call the hatchery at 417-532-4418.Sunfish are some of the most abundant and easily caught fish here in the state of Missouri.
In this class we will be learning everything about sunfish from species, habitat, all the way to how to filet them. We will be actively fishing, catching, and harvesting sunfish in many different ways!
If you are a beginner to the world of harvesting your catch or you want to freshen up your preexisting skills, this is the program for you!
All participants will be required to harvest and filet their own fish and may take the fish home with them after the program.
Hope to see you there!