Fishing Events

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.

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.

Come on out to the Boone County Nature School for a fun day of fishing.  This event is geared for ages 16 and older, however younger anglers are welcome with parent/guardian to assist.  Poles and worms will be provided.  This event is Catch and Release and

will run from 1pm-4pm.  Bring a camera to catch some memories!

Virtual Vice; Fly Tying at Home. In this session we will have T.J. and Mike tying antique Mary Orvis Marbury flies from her book, "Favorite Flies and Their Histories" from 1892. Have your fly-tying tools out and ready. we will have a more complete material list soon.

Materials:

Size 10 hooks

lots of fun-colored feathers

yarn

thread

Muskie Fishing Program – In-Person

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! Sixteen anglers will be allowed to register for the in-person fishing event to be held Oct. 23rd (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 experience 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.)

Oct. 30th in-person fishing event

- 4 hours of muskie fishing

- Casting and trolling

Registration is required! All registered participants under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information or questions contact Lyle Whittaker (417)895-6880 Ext. 1644 or email Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov

Kick back and enjoy the day with the family under the shade of the pines surrounding the pond at Twin Pines Conservation Center. No fishing license is needed at this “catch and release” event. Food and drinks will be served.

Reservations are recommended.

This program is for all ages, so get out of the house and come and enjoy the fun. For further information call 573-469-0897.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tie flies? This is an introduction to fly-tying workshop designed for beginners. Participants will be provided the tools and expert coaching to create up to three different flies to take home. Instruction and equipment are provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation & Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association during the workshop; but individuals may bring their own fly-tying equipment if they wish. Space is limited to 15 participants, and all participants must be 15 years or older. This workshop will be held at St. James Nelson Hart Community Hall (1340 Nelson Hart Rd, Saint James, MO 65559) on January 16th from 1 – 4 PM.

Questions can be directed to Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tie flies? This is an introduction to fly-tying workshop designed for beginners. Participants will be provided the tools and expert coaching to create up to three different flies to take home. Instruction and equipment are provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation & Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association during the workshop; but individuals may bring their own fly-tying equipment if they wish. Space is limited to 15 participants, and all participants must be 15 years or older. This workshop will be held at Eugene Northern Community Hall (400 W 4th St, Rolla, MO 65401) on February 6th from 1 – 4 PM.

Questions can be directed to Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 17) at Bennett Spring State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran or active duty serviceperson 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 and 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.