Fishing Events

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 everyone 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 Forest Park Hatchery

Kids Free Fishing Day will be June 6 with fishing hours from 8 a.m. to noon at Kellogg Lake in Carthage.

Children ages 15 and under may participate. No registration required.

Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help their children, but adults are also asked to let them 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 children’s fishing zone.

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 everyone 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__________.

Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors! Following a short lesson on the basics of fishing, participants will have the opportunity to test out their new skills and to see who can catch the most fish. All fishing gear and bait will be provided. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. This is a catch and release event. No fishing permits are required to participate.

This event is for anglers of all ages, no experience required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register all attendees 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.

*** This is a two day clinic, participant are required to commit to BOTH days. Please do not register if you can not attend both days of the clinic.

Join us for a "Big Muddy" Alternative Methods Catfish Clinic on the Missouri River.

We'll start the clinic off on Saturday morning with an orientation at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center where we'll learn all about building various types of set lines and how to use them to target the Missouri River's Blue, Flathead and Channel catfish.

Then in the afternoon, we'll head out on the river in Missouri Department of Conservation boats to set some trotlines, jug lines and limb lines for catfish.

We'll meet again bright and early on Sunday morning and head out on the river to collect the fish that we caught overnight.

We'll also finish the clinic off with a catfish cleaning demonstration.

This program is appropriate for adults and families with children 9 and older.

On Saturday, participants will have an opportunity to eat lunch between the orientation and our time on the river. Otherwise, please bring snacks, water and dress appropriately for the weather. Afternoon is likely to be hot, morning will be cool.

MDC will provide all equipment including PFD's (life vests) for each person. Participants are welcome to bring their own Coast Guard approved PFD if they prefer. PFD'S will be required on MDC boats at all times.

This program is dependent on safe weather and river conditions. Participants will be contacted if conditions are not acceptable on the weekend of the event.

All participants MUST register separately. Do to limited space in the boats, please do not bring any participants who are not registered for this event.

Contact John Rittel for additional information or for assistance with registration.

john.rittel@mdc.mo.gov

Note: This program will take place at the Missouri Department of Conservation headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City.

Give fishing a try! Take advantage of Missouri’s Free Fishing Days by joining us at the Missouri Department of Conservation headquarters' ponds. All equipment and bait will be provided. An MDC Fishing Permit is not required during Free Fishing Days.

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

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 be hosted at the Lost Valley Hatchery.

This program will cover Discover Nature-Fishing Lessons 1 and 2, which are best to complete before Lessons 3 and 4 (hosted June 15). 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. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license for this program.

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, bug spray and sunscreen.

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

Fishing is a long-practiced activity in Missouri as a pastime and a vital tool for survival. From Native Americans with handmade equipment to modern anglers with fancy boats and fish finders, Missouri’s tradition of fishing is deep and very much alive. Join us at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center for this historic fishing program to learn about and get hands-on experience with traditional methods of fishing such as using cane poles, hand lining, and trapping fish. A fishing permit is not required for this program.

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 everyone 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 15

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 everyone 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 Forest Park Hatchery