Fishing Classes

Media
Adult and two children fishing on edge of lake
Body

Free Hands-On Instruction

Fishing is a great way for everyone to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories together. Our Discover Nature — Fishing Program helps Missourians gain the skills and confidence to go fishing on their own.

  • Classes are free.
  • No special equipment needed — we’ll provide all the gear.

More advanced classes can be found on the list below and on the Fishing Events page.

Media
Discover Nature–Fishing event
Title
Fishing Classes

Private Event | My Events | My Profile

Displaying 1 - 5 of 5
Registration period: September 1 - September 28
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023 6:00 pm - Thursday, September 28, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center
Learn the basics and try your hand at filleting crappie, a popular sport fish, under the guidance of staff volunteer Bruce Carpenter. After filleting, we'll sample some pre-cooked crappie and discuss how you can prepare and cook your next big catch. All equipment (and fish!) provided. Registration required. Ages 12+
Registration period: September 14 - October 2
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 5:30 pm - Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Conservation Employees Credit Union Basement

Discover Nature - Fishing Lessons 1 & 2:

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 operate a spin cast fishing rod. Participants will also learn the 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.

Please contact the Community Education Assistant, Lance Lewis with questions.

Lance.Lewis@mdc.mo.gov
Registration period: September 11 - October 1
Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023 10:00 am - Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:00 pm
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve

Come join us October 5th to learn fishing basics.

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 and bait/lures will be provided.

All children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.
Registration period: September 14 - October 11
Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023 5:30 pm - Thursday, October 12, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Conservation Employees Credit Union Basement

*Lessons 1 and 2 are required*

Lesson 3: “Five Common Missouri Fish” combines instruction with hands-on fishing in order to teach young anglers and families the anatomy, habitat, diet, and life cycle of five common Missouri fish.

Lesson 4: “Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations” combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families to identify different kinds of lures and to grasp an understanding of applicable fishing regulations and why we have them.

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.

Please email Lance Lewis, Community Education Assistant with questions.

Lance.Lewis@mdc.mo.gov
Registration period: August 18 - October 20
Date: Friday, October 20, 2023 5:30 pm - Friday, October 20, 2023 7:30 pm
Location: Cape Girardeau Nature Center

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 Lessons 3 and 4 which are best completed after Lessons 1 and 2. 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. We will host this program at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. 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.