Fishing Events

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 afternoon 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 evening, 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 11 and older.

On Saturday, participants will have a short opportunity to eat dinner 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 dependant on safe weather and river conditions. Participants will be contacted if conditions are not acceptable on the weekend of the event.

Registration for this program will begin on Tuesday morning, May 31st, 10:00am. 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.

**** Due to limited space participants may only attend this clinic once. Please do not register again if you attended last year. ****

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

john.rittel@mdc.mo.gov

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

Lesson 3: Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.

Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures 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.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Lake 15 in August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

When thinking about fly fishing, often our minds picture targeting trout in the mountainous vistas of the American West. However, fly fishing can target any fish species in any location. In this two day clinic, participants will begin at a point of little to no knowledge of fly fishing, and advance to a point where they can target fish in the lakes and ponds found around Missouri. Day one will focus on terminology, tactics, and casting practice. On day two, participants will put their new skills to use while fishing at a Kansas City area lake.

Day one occurs at Burr Oak Woods.

Day two occurs at James A Reed. Directions will be given at day one.

We will be learning about the basics of catfishing with rod and reel. The class will include types of bait for catching catfish, types of catfish and their habitat, and styles of rigging. Once the learning portion ends we will begin the hands on portion where we will go fishing for catfish from the bank. This is a free class where all bait and tackle will be provided. We do ask that all participants older than the age of 15 have an up to date fishing permit.

Learn the basics and try your hand at filleting crappie, a popular sport fish, under the guidance of staff volunteer Bruce Carpenter. After filleting, sample pre-cooked crappie and find out how you can prepare and cook your next big catch. All equipment (and fish!) are provided. Registration required. Ages 16+

Join us for a frog gigging clinic at the James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area.

We'll begin the evening with an amphibian program to help participants understand the difference between the different frogs that they are likely to encounter as the search for the areas bull and green frogs.

We'll also spend a little time learning how to harvest frogs with lots of tips from local experts.

Then at about sunset we'll head out to the area lakes to try our luck harvesting some frogs. Each individual participant or family will be accompanied on the area by an MDC approved mentor.

When we are finished hunting we'll do a frog cleaning demonstration and help participants clean their frogs before they leave the clinic.

Each participant must register for this clinic separately. For assistance with registration or for additional information, please contact John Rittel 816-604-8117, john.rittel@mdc.mo.gov

Missouri Department of Conservation will provide mentors, frog gigs, flashlights and frog cleaning supplies. Feel free to bring a strong flashlight and/or a headlamp though if you have them. Wear clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting wet and muddy. Bug spray is recommended.

Clinic participants will meet at the shelter house located inside the James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area directly across from the horse trailer parking lot.

Fishing permits are not required to participate in this clinic.

All children under the age a 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Lake 15 at August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

This class includes instruction to teach young anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery in Forest Park

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. Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure bait on hooks.

Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Ages 7 and above. All children ages 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. Email instructor for assistance with registering for this program

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at the Rearing Pond at Suson Park. To get to the Rearing Pond, you will enter the park, take a right onto the "service vehicles/park staff only" road that goes up the hill, and keep going straight across the parking lot to the gravel road and down to the pond.

Fishing can be a relaxing day by the water with the quiet of nature all around or it can be an exciting competitive sport! Our Discover Nature - Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part, fishing instruction series to help families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own. This Discover Nature - Fishing program consists of Lessons 1& 2 out of four (hosted later). Here we teach you fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook, and fish handling. You'll learn plenty and even get to drop a line in!

We will be meeting at the Perry County Community Lake off of Pcr 700 at 10am.

The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up.

Participants of this program will not need to purchase a fishing permit.

Bring out the entire family for a night of fishing at the Chillicothe Litton Center pond. Bring your own equipment if you would like, but Missouri Dept. of Conservation will be providing fishing poles and worms for bait. If you would like to keep fish to take home, that will be allowed. Bring your own stringer, chairs, snacks, drinks, and sunscreen. To register visit grandriverymca.org or call the YMCA.

Come join us July 12th 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.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure bait on hooks.

Fishing equipment and bait/lures will be provided.

All children ages 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery in Forest Park

A stick, a line, a worm, a creek. This is all you need to drop a line into the world of microfishing. Join us as we hail the tiniest catch and learn more about the biodiversity of Missouri’s smallest swimming residents. Meet at the Runge outdoor pavilion. Participants ages 16-65 are required to have a Missouri fishing permit. Registration required. Ages 5+

Participants will complete a Discover Nature Fishing Lesson , fish and learn to shoot a bow and arrow. For more information or help with registration call Kara at 660-438-4465

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Lake 1 at August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Fishing can be a relaxing day by the water with the quiet of nature all around or it can be an exciting competitive sport! Our Discover Nature - Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part, fishing instruction series to help families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own. This Discover Nature - Fishing program consists of Lessons 1& 2 out of four (hosted later). Here we teach you fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook, and fish handling. You'll learn plenty and even get to drop a line in!

We will be meeting at the Lake Girardeau Conservation Area off of county road 383 at 10am.

The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up.

Participants of this program will not need to purchase a fishing permit.

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs.

Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. All children ages 7 -15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lesson 3 & 4.

Equipment, bait and fishing coaches will be provided.

Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Each participant must register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. For assistance with registration please email the program instructor.

Lesson 3 & 4 are part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 3 & 4 are appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught 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 Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Lake 15 at August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

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

Lesson 3: Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.

Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures 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.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery in Forest Park

Participants will receive a Discover Nature Fishing Lesson, fish, and be introduced to Shooting a Crossbow. For more information or help with registration call Kara at 660-438-4465 or Mark @660- 530-5500