Fishing Events

Cane poles are literally made from canes cut from bamboo – and are arguably the oldest of all fishing rods. Join us to learn about cane poles, how to make them and how to use them. Participants will make their own cane pole and get to take it home! Poles and all supplies will be provided. This program will be held outside, at Spencer Lake.

You MUST REGISTER at mdc.mo.gov/events by 5pm, June 23rd. If you need help registering, please email the email address listed below. This is a FREE program! All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

This program is open to youth aged 11-15. MDC wildlife and fisheries management biologists will explain and show first-hand habitat management, population sampling, and fishing techniques. Participants will have opportunity to catch fish from both shore and boat, learn fish cleaning and meal preparation (yes, eating your cooked fish with sides is part of the program). MDC will provide all equipment and bait but participants may bring rod and reels if they wish. Lunch will be provided. Please bring close-toe shoes, hat, sunscreen, and extra water. This is an exciting opportunity for a lucky 20 youth to explore fishing from MDC field management biologists and staff!

Come enjoy a morning in the sun on beautiful Tywappity Lake. What better way to take in the sights and sounds than with a fishing rod in your hand? This program is designed for new anglers or new kayakers or both! Participants are welcome to bring their own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Kayaking instruction will be given to all, and then you may choose to go alone or spend time with an instructor to learn the basics of fishing from a kayak. Bait, lures, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets will be provided as well as knowledgeable conservation staff to help you try for the big one. Participants 16 and older are required to possess a valid Missouri fishing permit. Participants are asked to meet at the boat launch off HWY RA near Chaffee, MO with a waterbottle, snacks or lunch, and weather appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

Lesson 1: This lesson must be taken before any of the other Discover Nature Fishing lessons 2-4.

Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

Lesson 2: Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various kinds of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing suitable for outdoor and water activities. Face masks are required for the entire program. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.

First thing in the morning we'll spend a little time catching some fish, then we'll demonstrate several easy methods of cleaning common Missouri fish, and participants will have an opportunity to try their hand at cleaning some of the fish that they caught.

We'll finish up the morning by using the fish that we clean to demonstrating some delicious recipes for everyone to sample.

Missouri Department of Conservation will provide rods, tackle, bait, knives, cleaning boards and fishing coaches.

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

All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Each participant must register individually. Please email the instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 1:

This lesson must be taken before any of the other Discover Nature Fishing lessons 2-4.

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 spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

Lesson 2:

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. 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 ages 6 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone that will be attending must be registered.

Lesson 1: Learn the parts and function of a spincast fishing rod and reel. How to cast safely and 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.

Lesson 3:

Lesson 1&2 must be taken before any of other Discover Nature Fishing lessons 3-4.

In this class, participants will learn basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will also learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, you will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs.

Lesson 4:

In this final lesson you will learn how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions as well as hands-on fishing. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand 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.

Everyone that will be attending must be registered.

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.

Come out and fish with the Missouri Department of Conservation! We will provide all equipment needed including poles and bait.

In partnership with Rolling Hills Public Library

Lesson 1: Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release fish.

Lesson 2: Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various kinds of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.

Lesson 1: Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release fish.

Lesson 2: Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various kinds of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.

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

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

Come join us for a community fishing event at lake Thunderhead. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided for participants to learn basic fishing.

Food and Drink will also be provided by the members at lake thunderhead.

Lessons 1 & 2 MUST be taken before any of the other Discover Nature Fishing Lessons.

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 suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.

Registration required (families)

This is a great time of year to take your family fishing. We will teach some fishing basics, provide equipment and worms, then let you practice your new fishing skills. Kids who attend will be entered in a drawing at the end of the summer for a new fishing pole and tackle box.

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 cover the Discover Nature-Fishing Lessons 4. Lessons 1, 2, and 3 are not prerequisites for this program, but they would be excellent experiences to complete before Lesson 4, especially if you are a beginner angler.

Participants of this program will learn about different types of artificial lures, as well as how and when to use them. They will also learn about some of the regulations that Missouri has in place to protect our natural resources. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. We will host this program at the North Cape County Park Lake at Pavilion 4. Participants are not required to have a valid fishing license for this program.

Lesson 1: Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release fish.

Lesson 2: Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various kinds of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.