Fishing Events

Come join us to learn how to tie Crappie/Panfish jigs. All supplies are provided, free of charge.

Come join us for some trout fishing at Veterans Park Lake in Fulton. We will be catching and keeping our fish, and fish-cleaning techniques will be demonstrated. Equipment and instruction will be provided so no experience is necessary. Meet MDC staff at the lake. All participants ages 16 and 64 must come prepared with a Missouri fishing license; each participant must have a trout permit to possess trout. Registration required. Ages 6+

Any time can be a great time to fish, soon the weather will turn warm and the Spring fishing season will be in full force. Now is the time to brush up on those fish-cleaning skills. This session will focus on cleaning scaled fish like crappie, bass, and perch. We will look at some of the common equipment needed and common methods of cleaning these fish.

Come join us for some local trout fishing at McKay Park in Jefferson City. We will be catching and keeping our fish, and fish-cleaning techniques will be demonstrated. Equipment and instruction will be provided so no experience is necessary. Meet MDC staff at the parking lot near the play area. All participants ages 16 and 64 must come prepared with a Missouri fishing license; each participant must have a trout permit to possess trout. Registration required. Ages 6+

Any time can be a great time to fish, soon the weather will turn warm and the Spring fishing season will be in full force. Now is the time to brush up on those fish-cleaning skills. This session will focus on cleaning skinned fish with an emphasis on catfish. We will look at some of the common equipment needed and common methods of cleaning these fish.

Fly-tying is a great way to customize a fishing lure to a specific type of fish or a particular stretch of stream. It’s also way to get an added sense of accomplishment knowing that you caught a fish with a lure you made. Join us for a beginner's fly-tying program where you can advance your skills and learn new patterns.

All materials will be provided. Please register early as space is limited.

Have you ever been squirrel hunting and started wondering what other uses there are for the resources aside from the meat? In this program, we focus on secondary uses of squirrels by crafting with the leftovers. Namely the ability to create fishing lures from the hair on the tails. Join MDC staff as we walk you through how to take a squirrel tail from its raw form, and turn it into lures that will have you catching panfish left and right!

This program will occur entirely indoors in a classroom setting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tying gear (vice, bobbin, whip finisher are essential), but loaner equipment will be provided for those that cannot bring their own. Consumables such as thread, hooks, and hair will be provided by MDC.

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach us the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

There’s nothing more exciting than catching a fish on a fly you tied with your own two hands. In this four-session course for beginners, you will learn how to use the fly tying equipment, basic fly tying skills, and learn to tie two different flies at each session.

MDC will provide participants with a vise and tool kit to use during the classes along with all of the materials needed for each fly. If you have your own vise and tools, you are more than welcome to bring them to use.

Registration is required. Please be sure to register each person in your group separately.

Snagging season is just around the corner. Now is the time to learn about the different gear you will need to snag/grab some of our nongame fish. We will discuss rods, reels, lines, hooks, and other gear to help make a successful outing, whether you catch fish or not.

Have you ever wanted to go trout fishing but didn’t know what to use or where to go? We will discuss locations to fish, essential equipment, basic fishing methods, and lure selection. With this information, you’ll be ready to wet a hook on opening day, March 1!

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside this winter with the gals, this is the program for you! Whether you’re an avid fly-fisher or have never tried it and always wanted to learn, join us for a fun afternoon of trout fishing on the lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. We’ll have casting practice for anyone who wants it, and plenty of time to fish. We will also have other spin cast poles rigged for trout fishing available for anyone who would prefer not to fly-fish. We will all be fishing from the bank; no waders will be available or allowed. A fishing permit will not be needed, but if you would like to keep any trout that you catch you will need to purchase a Trout Stamp for $10. Please dress appropriately to be outside.

This program is a part of our Women in the Woods series, focused on women coming together and learning and using outdoor skills. This is a judgement free program open to people of all experience levels, identities, and backgrounds.

Please register each individual attending separately.

Come spend a few relaxing hours learning the art of fly tying! Many different materials will be available for use, Pat will teach the skill, and you can go home with a supply of your finished products!

Advanced crappie fishing clinic

Are you tired of seeing all the Facebook post of other folks catching crappie? While your fishing trips have been uneventful? Do you want to learn some advance crappie fishing techniques and strategies? Do you want to increase your knowledge of modern fishing electronic? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you! We are partnering with Brad Shockley of I Am Outdoors and other local crappie fishing guides on area lakes to host a workshop educating crappie anglers on fishing techniques that will take your next fishing trip to a whole new level.

Workshop includes:

- Current regulations with an emphasis on Lake Pomme De Terre, Stockton, Table Rock, and Fellows Lakes

- Crappie fishing methods and equipment

• Doddle socking

• Spider rigging

• Dock fishing

• Using live bait

• Jigging

- Patterns, associated techniques and lures for each season

- How to fish a brush pile

- How to fish standing timber

- Locating crappie – analyzing a lake map

- Introduction to modern electronics

Crappie is one of the most sought-after fish by anglers in Missouri, give yourself an advantage on the lake. Each participant will receive some proven tackle to try on their next crappie fishing adventure!

Location: Springfield Nature Center Auditorium

4601 S Nature Center Way

Springfield, Mo. 65804

When: March 9th, 2023

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

If you have any questions, please contact Lyle Whittaker at Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov or call (417) 895-6880 Ext. 1644

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.

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.

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

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

Over 100 species of fish call the Mississippi River home, including the blue catfish, which can grow up to 150 pounds. Come join Naturalists and other MDC Staff as we fish the mighty Mississippi at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. While catfish are our target, fish such as bluegill, freshwater drum, and shovelnose sturgeon may be caught. Limit to 25 people. We have 16 large catfish poles, one per family, or you may bring your own gear. A valid Missouri Fishing License is required for participants 16 and older. If legal sized fish are caught, we will also do a filleting demo and you can take your fish fillets home. We must be out of the area before sunset when the front gate locks.

Meet at parking lot O (also known as the canoe launch).

Register each participant individually.

Specific directions and information will be emailed to participants prior to the event.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to fish for free Saturday Sept. 30 at Bennett Spring State Park’s Women’s Free Fishing Day event.

At Women’s Free’ Fishing Day, which will run from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., There is no license or daily tag fee. Female anglers can pick up their free daily trout tag at the park store on the evening before or any time during the day of the event on Sept. 30. During the event, a part of the park’s Zone 2 and Zone 3 fishing areas will be reserved for female anglers. Volunteers will be available to help anglers throughout the day, along with members of the Bennett Spring Fly Tying Group who will be hosting live fly-tying demonstrations. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment.

This event is sponsored by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bennett Spring State Park Store, and the Bennett Spring Fly Tying group. For more information about the event, call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418 or e-mail Hatchery Manager Ben Havens at Ben.Havens@mdc.mo.gov .