Fishing Events

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1 Description:

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This beginning class involves hands-on instruction to teach new anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast rod and reel, how to recognize and rig 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 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

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 using your same email, just a different username.

Please meet at Suson Rearing Pond

It's time to Get MO Wild! Join us as we celebrate a free family outdoors day at Blue Valley Park. For nearly a century the Missouri Department of Conservation has been connecting people of this community to nature. Come out and learn activities and skills that can be used to enjoy the great outdoors such as testing your skills at archery, Tomahawk throwing, fishing, and atlatl. A portable climbing wall will be on site. Prospect KC will be on site to provide 300 meals at no cost first come first serve.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2 Description:

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. This includes 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 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

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 using your same email, just a different username.

Please meet at Lake 2

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

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. This includes 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 everyone 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.

All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing on your own. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery.

To register additional family members, you may need to make a group account or add them to an existing group account. You can also create an additional account for them using your same email, with a different username. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.

Join us at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery for a fun morning of fishing at Belladonna Pond! This beginner-friendly program will introduce you to the basics of fishing, including how to set up a fishing pole, how to cast, and how to safely handle a fish.

Whether you’ve always wanted to try fishing or simply don’t know where to start, this program is a great way to learn the fundamentals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We will meet at Belladona Pond, located across from Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. All fishing poles and tackle will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer. Please wear closed-toed shoes or boots.

Program is open to ages 5 and up. Children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The accompanying adult must register for the program *only if* they plan to fish.

Participants age 16 and up will need a valid Missouri Fishing License. This can be purchased online at https://mdc.mo.gov/permits, or at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center front desk, in advance of the program.

Registration is required by October 8th. For questions, please email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov or call 417-334-4865 x0.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2 Description:

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. This includes 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 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

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 using your same email, just a different username.

Please meet at Suson Rearing Pond

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4 Description:

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

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

In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

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 using your same email, just a different username.

Please meet at Lake 2

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

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

In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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 everyone 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.

All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing on your own. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

Please meet at Forest Park Hatchery.

Join us at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery for a fun morning of fishing at Belladona Pond! This beginner-friendly program will introduce you to the basics of fishing, including how to set up a fishing pole, how to cast, and how to safely handle a fish.

Whether you’ve always wanted to try fishing or simply don’t know where to start, this program is a great way to learn the fundamentals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We will meet at Belladonna Pond, located across from Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. All fishing poles and tackle will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer. Please wear closed-toed shoes or boots.

Program is open to ages 5 and up. Children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The accompanying adult must register for the program *only if* they plan to fish.

Participants age 16 and up will need a valid Missouri Fishing License. This can be purchased online at https://mdc.mo.gov/permits, or at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center front desk, in advance of the program.

Registration is required by October 15th. For questions, please email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov or call 417-334-4865 x0.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4

*You must attend Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 (Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling) before attending this class.*

*A current, valid fishing permit is encouraged for all participants ages 16–64.*

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

In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and 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.

All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

This class is for everyone 7 years old and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.

To register additional family members, you may need to make a group account or add them to an existing group account. You can also create an additional account for them sharing your same email and phone # but using individual usernames and passwords. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.

Please meet at the Suson Park “Rearing Pond” at the north end of the park.

If the class must be canceled for any reason, including weather, registrants will receive an email notification 24 hours in advance.