Fishing

Learn the essentials of fishing! We will cover what type of equipment is needed, how to tie and bait your hook, how to cast, and let you get a chance to try your hand at fishing. Please dress for the weather, a portion of this program will be outdoors.

Learn the essentials of fishing! We will cover what type of equipment is needed, how to tie and bait your hook, how to cast, and let you get a chance to try your hand at fishing. Please dress for the weather, a portion of this program will be outdoors.

This session will focus on other methods of cooking fish. We will discuss smoking, canning, pickling, and salting to name a few.

Join us for activities that are fun and fishy! Stop by any time and learn about different types of fish in Missouri, how to cast a fishing line, fish for backyard bass in our side yard (weather permitting) and make a fun fish to take home. Demonstrations on fly tying will be ongoing. Activities for all ages.

Cast iron cooking is a fun and tasty way to add to any outdoor adventure. This series of virtual programs is designed to boost your knowledge so you can cook a wide variety of great recipes around camp while making it fun and easy! Part four we will cover other methods like lunch bag, foil packs, cave man/hot coal cooking, pie irons, and more to make campfire cooking fun and easy!

Lesson 1: Learn the parts and function of a spin cast fishing rod and reel. How to cast safely and successfully. How to fasten basic tackle to a fishing line. Learn techniques to catch fish and handle it properly.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure bait on hooks.

Participants will be able to take what they learned and go fishing.

Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Each participant must register for this program individually.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and Gasconade County Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting a Pond Management Workshop on Tuesday March 28, 2023, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 604 West Jefferson Street, Owensville, MO. The Gasconade County SWCD will be providing a free chili/soup dinner before the workshop at 5:30pm for any workshop registrants that want to attend.

This workshop will cover a wide variety of topics including, pond site selection, pond construction, pond stocking, fisheries management, aquatic vegetation management, pond watershed management and wildlife issues. Professionals from MDC, NRCS and SWCD will give presentations and will be available to answer questions. There will also be some very useful literature and brochures on pond management available. This class is geared for adults, but children are welcome to attend.

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 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. 6031.

Snagging season is open and the suckers are getting ready to shoal. Now is the time to learn about the different gear you will need to snag/

grab these nongame fish. We will discuss rods, reels, lines, hooks, and other gear to help make a successful outing, whether you catch fish or not.

Join us for an introduction to trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park. We will learn methods, gear, and how to prepare our trout for cooking. A Missouri fishing permit and a daily trout tag are waived for this program and will not be needed. You may meet us at the park or follow us from Runge. A few participants may ride in our van on a first-come, first-served basis. We will leave Runge at 9 a.m. Registration required. Ages 7+

Now that Spring fishing season is in full swing, and you have caught and cleaned a mess of fish, now is the time to learn how to cook them. In this Virtual Fish Cooking program, we will focus on the common equipment needed for cooking fish, frying and grilling fish, as well as other methods to prepare fish. This is a combination of the Virtual Fish Cooking Series that was held this month.

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spin cast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. All participants must register for this program separately. Email the instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 1 is part of the four lesson Discover Nature-Fishing series. Lesson 1 is appropriate for adults and families with children 7 years of age and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2". April 6th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Location, Prairie Hollow Educational Lake, Greenwood, MO 64034.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot, how to rig fishing tackle and how to properly secure bait on hooks. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

All participants must register separately. Please contact program instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 2 is part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 2 is appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Join us for a crappie fishing lesson and fishing opportunity on Saturday morning, April 2nd, 8:00am - 11:30am at the Kansas City Regional Conservation Office Classroom and Gopher Lake. We'll start the morning off at the Regional Conservation Office Classroom where participants will learn how to catch crappie during all seasons and in all conditions. We'll discuss fishing methods, techniques, gear and tackle.

Then we'll head out on the area to Plover Lake for a hands on opportunity to try and catch some hungry crappie.

Fishing permits are not required for participants to fish during this clinic. Missouri Department of Conservation will provide all equipment, tackle and bait.

Each participant must register for this clinic separately. Contact instructor for assistance with registration. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult at all times during this clinic.

Please dress for the weather.

For many anglers fly-fishing can seem intimidating, but with an understanding of the basics you will see that it’s truly not that bad. Join our experienced staff to learn more about what it takes to get started fly fishing today. Instructors will provide an overview of the equipment needs and casting techniques. We’ll also spend some time working on your casting skills. After a quick break for lunch, we’ll head down to the fishing hole to try our luck. Fishing will be catch and release only and participants must have permits to fish as appropriate.

This virtual class will cover the ins and outs of keeping your fishing gear in tip top shape. The program will cover materials and demonstrate how to properly maintain your fishing rods and reels.

Cast iron cooking is a fun and tasty way to add to any outdoor adventure. This series of virtual programs is designed to boost your knowledge so you can cook a wide variety of great recipes around camp while making it fun and easy! In part five we will cover methods of outdoor cooking with little campers so they can be involved and excited about spending time outdoors!

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

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.

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure bait on hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities.

Each participant will need to register for this program individually. 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.

For questions or help registering, please contact Jeanell Stockton @ jeanell.stockton@mdc.mo.gov or 417-737-0698