Discover Nature Fishing

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Little girl holding a fish she caught.
Get Hooked

Discover Nature — Fishing offers families with children between the ages of 7 and 15 a hands-on introduction into angling.

Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries biologists in Cape Girardeau are l
Volunteer

It's more than breaking out the tackle box. That's why the department is looking for experienced anglers who are ready to lead the next generation of Missouri anglers.

Program at a Glance
  • Lesson one: Equipment, Casting, and Proper Fish Handling
  • Lesson two: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
  • Lesson three: Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle
  • Lesson four: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations
  • Classes are free
  • No permits or additional paperwork required
  • Bait and equipment provided

Enrollees must take lesson one to be eligible for later lessons. However, lessons two, three, and four may be taken in any order once lesson one has been completed.

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Basic Tackle

Learn what you need for basic tackle before your next fishing trip in this episode of MDC’s Discover Nature-Fishing series.
  • Each class is approximately two hours and will include indoor and outdoor segments.
  • Separate registration required for each participant
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • All registrants are expected to participate

Both the child and the accompanying adult(s) must be registered for classes in order to attend.

Due to limited space and seating, only those registered for a class may attend.

All supplies and fishing equipment will be provided. However, you might want to bring the following:

  • Water bottle
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Insect repellent
  • Notebook and pencil

Bad Weather:

In the event of class cancellation or rescheduling, registrants will be notified by either phone or email.

Withdraw from a Class:

To withdraw, navigate to My Events, log in, then select “cancel registration.” Remember that this will have to be done for every participant registered for the class.

Fishing Classes

Private Event | My Events | My Profile

Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
Fishing Skills: Fly Tying Class with Pat Rigby
Registration period: December 13 - January 11
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025 9:00 am - Saturday, January 18, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: MDC Northeast Regional Office
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!
Fishing Skills: Fly Tying Class with Pat Rigby
Registration period: December 13 - January 24
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025 9:00 am - Saturday, February 1, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Cent.-Long Branch
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!
Fishing Skills: Fly Tying Class with Pat Rigby
Registration period: December 13 - February 8
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025 9:00 am - Saturday, February 15, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Mark Twain Lake - M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor
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!
Discover Nature - Fishing Lessons 1 & 2:
Registration period: December 23 - March 21
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 5:30 pm - Friday, March 21, 2025 7:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

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 the Discover Nature-Fishing Lessons 1 and 2, which are best to complete before Lessons 3 and 4 (hosted later). Participants will learn about fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook, and proper fish handling. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. This program will take place at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license for this program.

Discover Nature - Fishing Lessons 3 & 4:
Registration period: December 23 - March 28
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025 5:30 pm - Friday, March 28, 2025 7:00 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

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 Cape Girardeau Conservation nature Center. 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.

Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 1:
Registration period: January 16 - May 4
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025 10:00 am - Friday, May 9, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve

Come join us to learn fishing basics!

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. Fishing equipment and bait/lures will be provided.

This program is one of several in our new Outdoor Skills Series (see detailed list below). Whether you’re seeking to connect more to nature or hone your outdoor skills, these classes are for you. Sign up for some or all and get to meet others that share your interests in the outdoors!

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Outdoor Skills Series Location Date Time

1. Backpacking Basics Pacific Library 2/27/2025 3:30-4:30

2. Compass and Map Caldwell Memorial WA 3/27/2025 11:00-12:30

3. Bird ID for Beginners Rockwoods Reservation 4/9/2025 9:00-10:00

4. Hike Conservation Area LaBarque Creek CA 4/26/2025 10:00-2:00

5. Outdoor Cooking Rockwoods Reservation 5/7/2025 10:00-11:30

6. Discover Nature Fishing 1 Shaw Nature Reserve 5/9/2025 10:00-12:00

7. Tree ID + Guided Hike Caldwell Memorial WA 5/13/2025 10:00-12:00

8. Knot Tying Caldwell Memorial WA 5/23/2025 10:00-11:30

9. Primitive Camping 101 Caldwell Memorial WA 5/23/2025 12:00-1:00

10. Archery Rockwoods Reservation 6/10/2025 10:00-11:00

11. Atlatl Rockwoods Reservation 6/10/2025 11:30-12:30