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
Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4 Description:
*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*
In the Lesson 3 portion, participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.
In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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 7 years old and up. 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. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.
To register your child, you may need to make a family account or add them to an existing family account. You can also make your child their own separate account using your same email, just a different username.
Please meet at Lake 2
*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*
In the Lesson 3 portion, participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.
In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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 everyone 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.
All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing on your own. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.
Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery.
Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4
*You must attend Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 (Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling) before attending this class.*
*A current, valid fishing permit is encouraged for all participants ages 16–64.*
In the Lesson 3 portion, participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.
In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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.
All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.
This class is for everyone 7 years old and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.
To register additional family members, you may need to make a group account or add them to an existing group account. You can also create an additional account for them sharing your same email and phone # but using individual usernames and passwords. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.
Please meet at the Suson Park “Rearing Pond” at the north end of the park.
If the class must be canceled for any reason, including weather, registrants will receive an email notification 24 hours in advance.
Come on out to the Boone County Nature School for a fun day of fishing. This event is geared for ages 16 and older, however younger anglers are welcome with parent/guardian to assist. Poles and worms will be provided. This event is Catch and Release and
will run from 1pm-4pm. Bring a camera to catch some memories!Muskie Fishing Program – In-Person
Did you know the Missouri Department of Conservation stocks Muskie in Fellow’s Lake just north of Springfield? Do you want to learn basic Muskie fishing methods? This hands-on workshop is for YOU! MDC Conservation Educator Lyle Whittaker is partnering with the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Springfield Utilities, and the Pomme D Terre Muskie Inc. to offer this unique opportunity for anglers who want to give muskie fishing a try! Sixteen anglers will be allowed to register for the in-person fishing event to be held Oct. 23rd (7:00am-11:30am). We will be casting and trolling for muskie but remember Fellow’s Lake holds a healthy population of walleyes as well (that’s why it is called fishing!) Anglers attending should have at least some experience in casting and operating a spinning reel. All equipment and supplies will be provided by MDC. However, anglers are welcome to bring their own poles, tackle, and PFD (Personal Floatation Device.) All participants must possess a current Missouri fishing permit (if not exempt.)
Oct. 30th in-person fishing event
- 4 hours of muskie fishing
- Casting and trolling
Registration is required! All registered participants under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information or questions contact Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 Ext. 1644 or email Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov
Since 1989, the Missouri Department of Conservation has stocked trout in St. Louis city and county parks as part of the Urban Fishing Program. The Winter Trout Program become a staple of winter fishing in St. Louis. This program is designed to give you all the tips, tricks, and regulation information you need to enjoy winter sport or a tasty meal.
Register to receive a Webex meeting link to view the program. The meeting link will be sent out a few days before the program as well as the day of the program.
Kick back and enjoy the day with the family under the shade of the pines surrounding the pond at Twin Pines Conservation Center. No fishing license is needed at this “catch and release” event. Food and drinks will be served.
Reservations are recommended.
This program is for all ages, so get out of the house and come and enjoy the fun. For further information call 573-469-0897.
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.