Fishing

Join us for some fishing fun at Lost Valley Hatchery’s Education Pond on Columbus Day from 10-Noon. The pond is stocked with channel catfish and hybrid sunfish. The event is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All equipment and bait will be provided or you are welcome to bring your own fishing equipment and any baits not carried in water. This event is catch and release only. Staff and volunteers will be on site to assist anglers. Inclement weather may cancel the event.

There is no better way to land your dream fish than choosing the right bait. Join us for an introductory look at matching bait to the fish species and selecting the appropriate hooks, sinkers, and boobers. if you are participating in Cape Nature Center's "A Year in Color" this program earns a blue aquatics bead. Please make sure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

A stick, a line, a worm, a creek. This is all you need to drop a line into the world of microfishing. Join us as we hail the tiniest catch and learn more about the biodiversity of Missouri’s smallest swimming residents. Dress for the weather in closed-toe shoes. All equipment is provided. Meet at the Runge outdoor pavilion. A Missouri fishing permit is required for all participants ages 16-64. Registration required. Ages 5+

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach us the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach us the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 15) at Bennett Springs State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran 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 for all veterans. 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.

Young anglers will have opportunities to experience the fun of catching fish at Bennett Spring State Park’s Kids’ Fishing Day 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on May 6th. Kids ages 15 and under can pick up free trout tags at the park store on May 5th from 5-9 p.m. and all day on May 6th. A section of Zone 2 and Zone 3 at the park will be reserved for youth anglers. Volunteers will be on hand to help. Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but adults are also asked to let children fish by themselves as much as possible. Only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish in the designated kids’ fishing zone.

Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. To help with Kids’ Fishing Day or for more information please call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to fish for free Saturday Sept. 30 at Bennett Spring State Park’s Women’s Free Fishing Day event.

At Women’s Free’ Fishing Day, which will run from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., There is no license or daily tag fee. Female anglers can pick up their free daily trout tag at the park store on the evening before or any time during the day of the event on Sept. 30. During the event, a part of the park’s Zone 2 and Zone 3 fishing areas will be reserved for female anglers. Volunteers will be available to help anglers throughout the day, along with members of the Bennett Spring Fly Tying Group who will be hosting live fly-tying demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment.

This event is sponsored by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bennett Spring State Park Store, and the Bennett Spring Fly Tying group. For more information about the event, call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418 or e-mail Hatchery Manager Ben Havens at Ben.Havens@mdc.mo.gov .