Discover Nature Fishing

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Little girl holding a fish she caught.
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Discover Nature Fishing offers families with children between the ages of 7 and 15 a hands-on introduction into angling.

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

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Program at a Glance
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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

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  • Classes are free
  • 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

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Learn what you need for basic tackle before your next fishing trip in this episode of MDC’s Discover Nature Fishing series.
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  • 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.

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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
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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

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 17
Registration period: July 5 - August 18
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, August 22, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park - Rearing Pond

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 required 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.

Registration period: July 26 - August 22
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 6:00 pm - Wednesday, August 26, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Lake 2 - August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1 Description:

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 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

Registration period: July 27 - August 23
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, August 27, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Hatchery

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 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.

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 using your same email, with a different username. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.
Registration period: July 29 - August 25
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, August 29, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park - Rearing Pond

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1 Description:

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 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 Suson Rearing Pond

Registration period: August 2 - August 29
Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 6:00 pm - Wednesday, September 2, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Lake 2 - August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1 Description:

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 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

Registration period: August 20 - September 3
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026 5:30 pm - Thursday, September 3, 2026 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 9/8). 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.

Registration period: August 3 - August 30
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026 6:00 pm - Thursday, September 3, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Hatchery

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 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.

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 using your same email, with a different username. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.

Registration period: August 5 - September 1
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026 9:00 am - Saturday, September 5, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park - Rearing Pond

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

*This lesson is required for anyone wanting to take Lessons 2-4*

*A current, valid fishing permit is encouraged for all participants ages 16–64.*

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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.

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 this 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 which can share your 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 by 5:00 pm on Friday.

Registration period: August 20 - September 8
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 5:30 pm - Tuesday, September 8, 2026 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 (hosted 9/3). 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.

Registration period: August 9 - September 5
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 6:00 pm - Wednesday, September 9, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Lake 2 - August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2 Description:

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. This includes how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

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