MDC to hold several Discover Nature - Fishing events in July in southwest Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Fishing is a great way to connect families with the outdoors. It's a great tool to introduce children to healthier lifestyles and its a good activity for strengthening family bonds. These are some of the many benefits of the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Discover Nature - Fishing program.

This program provides free lessons to help kids and families gain skills and confidence to enjoy fishing through a series of four instructional sessions:

• Lesson 1: Equipment, casting, proper fish handling
• Lesson 2: How to tie a knot and bait a hook
• Lesson 3: Five common Missouri fish - their anatomy, habitats and life cycles
• Lesson 4: Fishing with lures, fishing regulations

In July, interested families will have a chance to take Discover Nature - Fishing classes at these southwest Missouri locations:

• July 6: 6-8:30 p.m., Bois D’Arc Aquatic Education Pond, 4045 State Highway UU, located on Bois D’Arc Conservation Area, (Greene County), Lessons 1 and 2, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178618
• July 10: 9-11 a.m., Bois D’Arc Aquatic Education Pond, Lessons 3 and 4 (participants must take Lesson 1 before they can sign up for this session), register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178610
• July 13: 6-8:30 p.m., Chesapeake Fish Hatchery, 21186 Highway 174, Mount Vernon (Lawrence County), Lessons 1 and 2, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178598
• July 17: 9-11 a.m., Chesapeake Fish Hatchery, Lessons 3 and 4 (participants must take Lesson 1 before they can attend this session), register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178601
• July 20: 6-8:30 p.m., Belladonna Aquatic Education Pond, 483 Hatchery Road, Branson, located at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery (Taney County), Lessons 1 and 2, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178605
• July 24: 9-11 a.m., Belladonna Aquatic Education Pond, Lessons 3 and 4 (participants must take Lesson 1 before they can sign up for this session, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178607
• July 27: 6-8:30 p.m., Walter Woods Conservation Area, 7129 Dutch Elm Drive, (Newton County), Lessons 1 and 2, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178608
• July 31: 9-11 a.m., Walter Woods Conservation Area, Lessons 3 and 4 (participants must take Lesson 1 before they can sign up for this session, register at:
• https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178611

Fishing equipment, bait, and lures will be provided for all programs. These events are open to participants age 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant must register for this program individually. (See next paragraph for family option for registration.) Participants will be asked to social distance during the events. People should wear clothing suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that people bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. All of the above-listed events will feature hands-on, catch-and-release fishing opportunities. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their children at all times.

Program registrants should note that families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own, which will streamline the program registration process. Once a group account is set up, parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to log-off or log-in for each person. This allows parents to register an entire family or select family members to an event at the same time.

People can get more information about these programs by e-mailing MDC Community Education Assistant Stacy Wheatley at Stacy.Wheatley@mdc.mo.gov. Information about other upcoming Discover Nature Fishing classes can be found at mdc.mo.gov.