Fishing Events

Come enjoy one of our favorite pastimes in the Ozarks - fish gigging!

In this program you will learn the techniques of fish gigging, how to identify the sucker fish you will be harvesting, and enjoy the fish you harvest with a fish fry!

The program will be held at Van Buren Riverfront Park in Van Buren, MO, and we will be taking boats out on the Current River.

Participants do not need a fishing license - a group fishing permit will be used for the event.

Weather will most likely be cooler, so warm layers, gloves, and waterproof boots will be needed.

Participants who will be traveling for the event - there are hotels in Van Buren.

Fish can’t fly south for the winter, and they don’t find a nice den to hibernate in. Our fisheries provide excellent opportunities to catch fish even in the coldest months, it just takes a bit of practice and know-how. Join us for this virtual program for anyone not ready to stop fishing for the year, interested in winter fish biology, and those who are not afraid of the cold.

Participants will receive the virtual program link at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive this link.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tie flies? This is an introduction to fly-tying workshop designed for beginners. Participants will be provided the tools and expert coaching to create up to three different flies to take home. Instruction and equipment are provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation & Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association during the workshop; but individuals may bring their own fly-tying equipment if they wish. Space is limited to 15 participants, and all participants must be 15 years or older. This workshop will be held at St. James Nelson Hart Community Hall (1340 Nelson Hart Rd, Saint James, MO 65559) on January 16th from 1 – 4 PM.

Questions can be directed to Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tie flies? This is an introduction to fly-tying workshop designed for beginners. Participants will be provided the tools and expert coaching to create up to three different flies to take home. Instruction and equipment are provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation & Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association during the workshop; but individuals may bring their own fly-tying equipment if they wish. Space is limited to 15 participants, and all participants must be 15 years or older. This workshop will be held at Eugene Northern Community Hall (400 W 4th St, Rolla, MO 65401) on February 6th from 1 – 4 PM.

Questions can be directed to Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 17) at Bennett Spring State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran or active duty serviceperson 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 and 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.

Kids Fish Free in Montauk State Park Saturday, May 2nd. Fishing is from 6:30 am to 8:15 pm. The spring branch will be reserved for kids only, but kids will be allowed to fish the entire park with their free tag. Tags can be obtained from 2pm to 5 pm Friday, 5/1 at the registration tent by the fish cleaning station, or all day Saturday May 2. There will be attendance prizes, free tree seedlings, mobile aquarium, and more. Free hotdog and chip lunch will be from 11-1.

MDC is partnering with the City of St. James in offering a Family Fishing Day at St. James Scioto Lake. MDC will provide the poles and City of St. James P&R is providing the bait. In addition to having a great time fishing; participants can learn how to ID fish, free adhesive ruler to measure their catch, play a casting game, free MDC fishing / publications, and how to use MDC phone app "MO Fishing" to find public areas to go fishing in the future. We look forward to seeing you here in St. James on May 8, 2027!