Fishing Events

Free, Catch and Release fishing from Hatchery ponds. Attendance prizes will be given out from 10:00 to 10:30. A hotdog and chip lunch will be provided from 10:30 to 11:00. Event will be located at the Hatchery Office. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles and lures will be provided for those that need them.

To sign up a child, you will have to click "Create an Account" for each child who plans to attend if they do not already have one. This account will be good for any future events as well. You may also add the child's account(s) to your "group account" for easier future management.

For questions or more information contact Blind Pony Hatchery at 660-335-4531.

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-year-olds 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 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 Lake 15

Join us at Prairie Hollow Education Lake for "Cane Pole Fishing For Families".

Cane poles have been used to catch fish for thousands of years. However, they are still just as effective as the ever have been. Cane poles are an excellent way to learn the basics of fishing and how to rig the most simple fishing tackle.

Every child age 13 and under who attends this program will be able to build their own cane pole and take it home with them for more fishing adventures after the program. However, we'll have plenty of poles available for everyone to join in the fishing the fun.

Program is appropriate for adults and families with children of all ages.

Poles, tackle and bait will be provided.

Fishing permits are not required to fish during this program.

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 all 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 Forest Park Hatchery

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 u. 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 Forest Park Hatchery

Do you know what's reel-y cool about fishing? Everyone can do it! Anglers come in all shapes, sizes, and experience levels. Join us in celebrating the great angler community on National Kids to Parks Day!

All fishing gear will be provided. We encourage you to share tips, tricks, and monster fish stories. Feel free to come and go between 11am and 2pm. Pre-registrations are encouraged, but walk in registrations will also be available that day.

New to fishing? We'll have you casting with confidence in no time. No experience required - just willingness to get your line wet. By the end you'll be ready to cast on your own and catch your first fish!

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 children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

While fishing permits are not required for this event, we encourage participants 16 and older to purchase a permit so they are a valid angler following this class.

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

Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor exploration and play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands.

Have you always wanted to get into the art of fly tying but do not know where to start? Join us for our 4-part virtual fly-tying series that will introduce you into the world of fly tying. You will learn about the basic tools, materials, and skills to get you rolling on tying your own flies. You must have your own equipment and tying tools to participate. See Equipment list below. We will send you the individual consumable materials; feathers, hooks, hair, etc., via mail free of charge.

Each class will build on the previous classes’ skills so attendance of all 4 classes is required. Each class will start at 5:00pm and will run for approximately 2 hours. This class is virtual so you will also need a computer with internet access and speakers to participate.

Required Equipment List: basic fly-tying vise, bobbin holder, 140 denier or 6/0 black or brown thread, scissors, bodkin, hackle pliers, fly head cement. A standard fly-tying toolkit will have these items.

Optional Equipment: rotary vise, bobbin threader, whip finisher

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 be hosted at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

This program will cover Lessons 3 and 4 which are best completed after Lessons 1 and 2 (May 8). Participants will learn about Missouri freshwater ecosystems, common fish, artificial lures, and the regulations regarding fishing in Missouri. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license and those who have already completed Lessons 1 and 2 will receive fishing related rewards.