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Fishing event planned for Hickory Creek
NEOSHO Mo -- An upcoming event will highlight one of Neosho’s great close-to-home fishing sites and will also provide information about upcoming conservation projects in the community.
On Saturday, March 5, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold a Fishing Fun Day at Hickory Creek in Neosho. The special event will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Tents and information tables will be set up at the section of the creek located near the walking bridge between East Coler Street and East Spring Street and parking will be available at the nearby baseball fields.
The morning of Saturday, March 5, isn’t the only time people can fish Hickory Creek. The section of this Shoal Creek tributary is one of MDC's White Ribbon Trout Management Areas. It receives periodic stockings of rainbow trout throughout the year and, between March 1 and October 31, anglers can catch a limit of four rainbows. At other times of year, trout fishing is catch-and-release. In addition to trout, the stream also has populations of rock bass, smallmouth bass and channel catfish; all of which can be caught and possessed according to the statewide possession limits and length limits that pertain to each species.
In addition to reminding people that Hickory Creek is a good fishing location, the March 5 event also will highlight the activities of the MDC's Southwest Community Conservation Team. The team is currently working with the city of Neosho on several conservation-related projects. MDC is also taking this opportunity to highlight the newly completed renovations at Neosho’s most popular fish facility; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Neosho National Fish Hatchery.
Those wishing to fish at the March 5 morning event need to bring their own rods, bait, stringers and all other equipment they need to fish. A fishing permit is necessary, as is a trout permit for those who wish to keep any trout caught throughout the morning. These must be purchased prior to arrival at the event. More information about this event can be obtained by calling the MDC's Neosho Office at 417-451-4158 or the Department’s Joplin Office at 417-629-3423.