Fishing Events

Always wanted to explore fly fishing but didn’t know who to ask for help? This workshop is designed for individuals who want to learn how to properly cast under various environmental conditions or simply improve their skills. All instruction and equipment is provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation during the workshop. Space is limited to 10 participants and all participants must be 16 years or older. This workshop will be held at Bray Conservation Area located just three miles south of Rolla, MO, on February 1st from 1 – 3:30 PM.

Ever been on the river and no one is catching except for that one lone fisherman? This workshop helps you figure out what is going on in the water so you can match the lure to macroinvertebrates present in the environment. All instruction and equipment is provided at no cost by Missouri Department of Conservation during the workshop; but individuals may bring their own fly fishing equipment if they wish. Individuals will fly fish in the morning followed by macroinvertebrate sampling and comparison to standard flies in the afternoon. Space is limited to 10 participants and all participants must be 16 years or older. This workshop will be held at Maramec Spring Park located just six miles south of St. James, MO, on Hwy. 8, on February 8th from 10 AM – 3:30 PM. Participants will meet at the museum within the park. Participants need to bring their own lunch and be prepared to be outside all day.

Have you ever had the experience to catch a fish on a fly you tied? This workshop will provide the tools and expert coaching to create up to three different fly fishing flies and take home about nine total flies. Individuals will be allowed to try their flies within a stream the final hours of the workshop. Space is limited to 10 participants and all participants must be 16 years or older. This workshop will be held at Maramec Spring Park located just six miles south of St. James, MO, on Hwy. 8, on February 8th from 10 AM – 3:30 PM. Participants will meet at the museum within the park. Participants should bring their own lunch, knee/hip boots, and be prepared to be outside in the afternoon.

Ozarks streams offer excellent smallmouth bass fishing. Learn what type of tackle to use, places to go, and the current research and management activities surrounding this strong fighting fish. All ages.

Have you ever wanted to go trout fishing but didn’t know what to use or where to go? We will discuss locations to fish, essential equipment, basic fishing methods and lure selection. You’ll be ready to wet a hook on opening day, March 1st.

Learn everything you need to know about catching winter trout.

Join us for a winter trout fishing lesson at the Kansas City Regional Conservation Office where we'll learn how to catch and clean winter trout. After the lesson we'll head down to Plover Lake and spend a couple hours trying our luck at catching some hungry trout.

Dress for the weather and bring your own snacks and drinks. Missouri Department of Conservation will provide equipment, tackle, bait and fishing coaches.

Fishing permits are not required to fish during this event as long as participants DO NOT plan to keep the trout that they catch. If participants would like to keep their trout they WILL need a trout permit.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the event of bad weather on the day of this program we will go ahead with the inside fishing lesson but the outdoor fishing opportunity may be postponed. Participants will be contacted if changes are necessary.

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 10 at 8am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.
Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours. For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

The Missouri Department of Conservation and The Department of Natural Resources proudly present Kids Fishing Day and Nature Festival, May 16th, at Roaring River State Park. Young anglers will have opportunities to catch fish, connect with nature and have fun participating in the many activities offered to parents and children. At 5:00 pm, a large drawing will be held and many prizes will be given away!

Kids’ Fishing Day will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.

At Kids’ Fishing Day, an area of the park will be designated as a fishing area for youths age 15 and under. Children in that age range can pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office any time on May 15 or all day on the day of the event. Volunteers will be available to assist the young anglers. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to assist kids, too, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves. Free hotdogs, chips and soda will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Education is also part of Kids’ Fishing Day. Throughout the day, seminars will be held on fish cleaning, fish cooking, Dutch oven cooking, Mexican cuisine, outdoor survival, target shooting, taxidermy, watersheds, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, how to fish Roaring River, stream biology and other subjects. A hatchery tour will show how trout are raised. A program on Missouri snakes will be given using live specimens. If kids attend three classes, they will be entered into a drawing for prizes. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. Children must be present to win. Classes are also open to the whole family, but only children may enter the drawings.

Volunteers are needed to help out with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. If you would like to help out with Kids’ Fishing Day or you want to get more information, call MDC’s Roaring River Hatchery at 417-847-2430 or e-mail paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov