Fishing Events

Learn the essentials of fishing! We will cover what type of equipment is needed, how to tie and bait your hook, how to cast, and let you get a chance to try your hand at fishing. Please dress for the weather, a portion of this program will be outdoors.

Learn the essentials of fishing! We will cover what type of equipment is needed, how to tie and bait your hook, how to cast, and let you get a chance to try your hand at fishing. Please dress for the weather, a portion of this program will be outdoors.

Lesson 1: Learn the parts and function of a spin cast fishing rod and reel. How to cast safely and successfully. How to fasten basic tackle to a fishing line. Learn techniques to catch fish and handle it properly.

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.

Participants will be able to take what they learned and go fishing.

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

Each participant must register for this program individually.

Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle. Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations. You must take Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 1 and 2 before you can take this class.

Additional Information:

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families 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.

Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 and up. We encourage the entire family to participate. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lessons 3 & 4. Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. For additional information or questions contact LuAnn Conway at (573) 325-1381 ext. 6031.

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.

Join us for an introduction to trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park. We will learn methods, gear, and how to prepare our trout for cooking. A Missouri fishing permit and a daily trout tag are waived for this program and will not be needed. You may meet us at the park or follow us from Runge. A few participants may ride in our van on a first-come, first-served basis. We will leave Runge at 9 a.m. Registration required. Ages 7+

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spin cast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. All participants must register for this program separately. Email the instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 1 is part of the four lesson Discover Nature-Fishing series. Lesson 1 is appropriate for adults and families with children 7 years of age and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2". April 6th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Location, Prairie Hollow Educational Lake, Greenwood, MO 64034.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot, how to rig fishing tackle and how to properly secure bait on hooks. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

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

All participants must register separately. Please contact program instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 2 is part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 2 is appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Join us for a crappie fishing lesson and fishing opportunity on Saturday morning, April 2nd, 8:00am - 11:30am at the Kansas City Regional Conservation Office Classroom and Gopher Lake. We'll start the morning off at the Regional Conservation Office Classroom where participants will learn how to catch crappie during all seasons and in all conditions. We'll discuss fishing methods, techniques, gear and tackle.

Then we'll head out on the area to Plover Lake for a hands on opportunity to try and catch some hungry crappie.

Fishing permits are not required for participants to fish during this clinic. Missouri Department of Conservation will provide all equipment, tackle and bait.

Each participant must register for this clinic separately. Contact instructor for assistance with registration. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult at all times during this clinic.

Please dress for the weather.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Spring is here and the crappie are biting! Tying your own crappie jigs is a fun and easy way to add to your tackle selection. You will learn how to use fly tying equipment, basic tying skills, and then tie a couple of crappie jigs. MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the class, along with all of the materials needed to make a couple of crappie jigs. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 15) at Bennett Springs State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran 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 for all veterans. 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.

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

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.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities.

Each participant will need to register for this program 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.

For questions or help registering, please contact Jeanell Stockton @ jeanell.stockton@mdc.mo.gov or 417-737-0698

"Discover Nature Fishing Lessons 3&4" April 20th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Location, Prairie Hollow Educational Lake, Greenwood, MO 64034

Lesson 3&4 combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers intermediate fishing techniques and skills.

lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish and how they relate to their environments and habitat. Lesson 4: Fishing with artificial lures and fishing regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers 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. 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.

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.

Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

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

Muskie Fishing Program – In-person Fishing Day

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

Young anglers will have opportunities to experience the fun of catching fish at Bennett Spring State Park’s Kids’ Fishing Day 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on May 6th. Kids ages 15 and under can pick up free trout tags at the park store on May 5th from 5-9 p.m. and all day on May 6th. A section of Zone 2 and Zone 3 at the park will be reserved for youth anglers. Volunteers will be on hand to help. Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but adults are also asked to let children 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 kids’ fishing zone.

Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. To help with Kids’ Fishing Day or for more information please call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418

Fishing Day at Krug Park! Come and join the Missouri Department of Conservation in a 2-hour fishing event. This is a come and go event where you can fish for as long as you want and leave when you are ready. We will provide all of the fishing equipment and bait the only thing you need is a valid fishing license for any participants that are 16-64 years of age. Participants younger than 16 do not require a fishing license.

Discover Nature Fishing Lessons 1-4. Come join the Missouri Department of Conservation in are learning the fishing basics. This fishing event is made to teach all of the fishing basic then take what you learned and practice those skills by going fishing after the lessons are completed. All registered participants will be able to take home some fishing equipment like tackleboxes, fishing poles, etc. on completion of all four lessons. All participants between the age 16-64 are required to have a valid fishing license. Participants outside that age range are not required to have a fishing license.

Join the Missouri Department of Conservation on learning the fishing basics. This event will cover DNF Lessons 1-2 and will have a following event the next day covering the remaining two lessons. Upon completion of all 4 lessons every registered participant will be able to take home some fishing equipment. All participants that are 16-64 years of age will require a valid fishing license. Participants outside the age range do not require a fishing license.

Join the Missouri Department of Conservation on learning the fishing basics. This event will cover DNF Lessons 3 and 4. Upon completion of all 4 lessons every registered participant will be able to take home some fishing equipment. All participants that are 16-64 years of age will require a valid fishing license. Participants outside the age range do not require a fishing license.