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



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.
- 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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What to Expect
- 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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What to Bring Along
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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Cancellation or Withdrawal
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
Have you ever been squirrel hunting and started wondering what other uses there are for the resources aside from the meat? In this program, we focus on secondary uses of squirrels by crafting with the leftovers. Namely the ability to create fishing lures from the hair on the tails. Join MDC staff as we walk you through how to take a squirrel tail from its raw form, and turn it into lures that will have you catching panfish left and right!
This program will occur entirely indoors in a classroom setting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tying gear (vice, bobbin, whip finisher are essential), but loaner equipment will be provided for those that cannot bring their own. Consumables such as thread, hooks, and hair will be provided by MDC.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside this winter with the gals, this is the program for you! Whether you’re an avid fly-fisher or have never tried it and always wanted to learn, join us for a fun afternoon of trout fishing on the lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. We’ll have casting practice for anyone who wants it, and plenty of time to fish. We will also have other spin cast poles rigged for trout fishing available for anyone who would prefer not to fly-fish. We will all be fishing from the bank; no waders will be available or allowed. A fishing permit will not be needed, but if you would like to keep any trout that you catch you will need to purchase a Trout Stamp for $10. Please dress appropriately to be outside.
This program is a part of our Women in the Woods series, focused on women coming together and learning and using outdoor skills. This is a judgement free program open to people of all experience levels, identities, and backgrounds.
Please register each individual attending separately.
Advanced crappie fishing clinic
Are you tired of seeing all the Facebook post of other folks catching crappie? While your fishing trips have been uneventful? Do you want to learn some advance crappie fishing techniques and strategies? Do you want to increase your knowledge of modern fishing electronic? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you! We are partnering with Brad Shockley of I Am Outdoors and other local crappie fishing guides on area lakes to host a workshop educating crappie anglers on fishing techniques that will take your next fishing trip to a whole new level.
Workshop includes:
- Current regulations with an emphasis on Lake Pomme De Terre, Stockton, Table Rock, and Fellows Lakes
- Crappie fishing methods and equipment
• Doddle socking
• Spider rigging
• Dock fishing
• Using live bait
• Jigging
- Patterns, associated techniques and lures for each season
- How to fish a brush pile
- How to fish standing timber
- Locating crappie – analyzing a lake map
- Introduction to modern electronics
Crappie is one of the most sought-after fish by anglers in Missouri, give yourself an advantage on the lake. Each participant will receive some proven tackle to try on their next crappie fishing adventure!
Location: Springfield Nature Center Auditorium
4601 S Nature Center Way
Springfield, Mo. 65804
When: March 9th, 2023
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
If you have any questions, please contact Lyle Whittaker at Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov or call (417) 895-6880 Ext. 1644
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.Muskie Fishing Program – Virtual Program
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! The workshop has multiple parts. A virtual program on May 2nd will be followed by an in-person fishing session. Anglers registered and attending the in-person fishing event on May 5th are highly encouraged to attend the virtual program! 12 anglers will be allowed to register for the in-person fishing event to be held May 5th (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 experiences 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.)
Topics covered in the virtual program
- Muskie biology
- Regulations
- Equipment and tackle
- Methods of fishing for muskie
May 5th in-person on the lake fishing event
- 4 hours of muskie fishing
- Casting and trolling
Registration is required for both the virtual program and the in-person event. Registration is separate on the MDC events page. Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov) For more information or questions contact Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 Ext. 1644 or email Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov