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.
Essential equipment includes a rod, reel, hook, line, and lure. Check the fishing gear page to see if you have the correct equipment.
In addition to sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses can protect you from too much sun and the glare reflecting off the water.
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.
You can purchase permits online or in most Missouri sporting goods stores.
This 1,343-acre area is bounded on the south by the Missouri River, on the east by Moniteau
Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle. Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations. You must take Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 1 and 2 before you can take this class.
Additional Information:
Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and their families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs. Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations.
Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 and up. We encourage the entire family to participate. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lessons 3 & 4. Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. For additional information or questions contact LuAnn Conway at (573) 325-1381 ext. 6036
*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*
Lesson 3: Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.
Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures techniques, as well as identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.
All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.
This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.
To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.
Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1
This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.
All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.
This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.
To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.
The Missouri Department of Conservation, North Newstead Association, City of St. Louis Forestry, earthday365, Black Healers Collective, and Alderwoman Keys to Host Family Fun Day and Cleanup Event on June 28th, 2025.
O'Fallon Park, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation, North Newstead Association, and earthday365 are proud to announce the 2025 Family Fun Day and Cleanup event, which will take place on June 28th, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the O'Fallon Park Boat House, 2001 E Harris Ave, St. Louis, MO 63107. This year's event will feature a range of fun activities and educational opportunities designed to connect families with nature, as well as a cleanup effort to help keep the park clean and beautiful.
In addition to outdoor fun and educational activities, this year’s event will include a listening session led by the Black Healers Collective to help residents process and share their experiences related to the tornado. Community organizations will also be on site to share tornado relief resources and help attendees navigate available support services.
The event will begin with a cleanup effort at 9am to pick up litter and debris in the park. Families are encouraged to participate in the cleanup, which will provide a great opportunity for parents and children to work together and learn about the importance of taking care of our environment. To volunteer, please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCkHYb0uWAWiyN7Ic16N15cF4FnXEAe7NfYQgX04Fzlh4wog/viewform. After the cleanup, feel free to join in on the fun activities!
Attendees can look forward to a range of activities, including nature-themed crafts for the young ones, fishing and bird watching, tree climbing, guided hikes, and so much more! There will be several nonprofit, governmental, and neighborhood associations giving out information and resources at the event, providing a valuable opportunity for families to learn about important issues and resources in their community. And of course, a cookout for volunteers and attendees!
Registration is not required to attend, but it is appreciated. For more information about the O'Fallon Park Family Fun Day and Cleanup event, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ofallon-park-family-fun-day-tickets-1367659920639?aff=oddtdtcreator.
We hope to see you all at O'Fallon Park on June 28th, 2025, for a day of family fun, education, and community building!
The O'Fallon Park Family Fun Day and Cleanup event is sponsored by several local businesses and organizations, including the O'Fallon Park Neighborhood Association, and we would like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors for their support and generosity.
Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories. Our Discover Nature-Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part fishing instruction series that helps families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own.
This program will cover Lessons 3 and 4 which are best completed after Lessons 1 and 2. Participants will learn about Missouri freshwater ecosystems, common fish, artificial lures, and the regulations regarding fishing in Missouri. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. We will host this program at the Sikeston Recreational Complex. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license and those who have already completed Lessons 1 and 2 will receive fishing related rewards.
Join us for a frog gigging clinic at the James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area.
We'll begin the evening with an amphibian program to help participants understand the difference between the different frogs that they are likely to encounter as the search for the areas bull and green frogs.
We'll also spend a little time learning how to harvest frogs with lots of tips from local experts.
Then at about sunset we'll head out to the area lakes to try our luck harvesting some frogs. Each individual participant or family will be accompanied on the area by an MDC approved mentor.
When we are finished hunting we'll do a frog cleaning demonstration and help participants clean their frogs before they leave the clinic.
Each participant must register for this clinic separately. For assistance with registration or for additional information, please contact John Rittel 816-604-8117, john.rittel@mdc.mo.gov
Missouri Department of Conservation will provide mentors, frog gigs, flashlights and frog cleaning supplies. Feel free to bring a strong flashlight and/or a headlamp though if you have them. Wear clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting wet and muddy. Bug spray is recommended.
Clinic participants will meet at the shelter house located inside the James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area directly across from the horse trailer parking lot.
Fishing permits are not required to participate in this clinic.
All children under the age a 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
