Fishing Events

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers 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.

Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Program is limited to ages 5 and above. All children ages 5 -15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Fishing permits are NOT required to fish during this program.

Participants will be asked to maintain safe social distance from staff and other participants who are not their family members during this program.

Learn how to catch channel, flathead and blue catfish in Missouri's farm ponds, lakes and rivers, then try your luck with a fishing opportunity at the Burr Oaks Woods educational pond. Afterwards, learn how to clean a catfish and sample a couple of catfish recipes during a cooking demonstration.

This event will take place at the Burr Oaks Woods educational pond and pavilion. Do not go to the nature center.

No fishing permit required to fish at this event.

Participants must be 7 years or older and participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
souri's farm ponds, lakes and rivers, then try your luck with a fishing opportunity at the Burr Oaks Woods educational pond. Afterwards, learn how to clean a catfish and sample a couple of catfish recipes during a cooking demonstration.

This event will take place at the Burr Oaks Woods educational pond and pavilion. Do not go to the nature center.

No fishing permit required to fish at this event.

Participants must be 7 years or older and participants under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Lesson 1:
This lesson must be taken before any of the other Discover Nature Fishing lessons 2-4.
This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spin-cast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.
Lesson 2:
Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills as well as hands-on fishing. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks. 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 children ages 4 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
After participants have completed and participated in all four sessions, they will receive a bass pro gift card (children and parents that participated).
We will start out in the basement of the Credit Union at MDC Headquarters for the "classroom portion".

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers 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. Program limited to ages 5 and above. All children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Fishing permits are NOT required to fish during this program.

Participants will be asked to maintain safe social distance from staff and other participants who are not their family members during this program.

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, 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.

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs.
Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. All children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lesson 3 & 4. Participants do not need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Participants will be asked to maintain safe social distance from staff and other participants who are not their family membersembers during this program.

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs.
Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

All children ages 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lesson 3 & 4.

Participants do not need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs. Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 – 15 and families with children. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. For reservation, please visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/discover-nature-... or call 417-256-7161. For more information.

Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 – 15 and families with children. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. For reservation, please visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/discover-nature-... or call 417-256-7161.

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs. Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations.

Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 and up. We encourage the entire family to participate. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lessons 3 & 4. Participants will be asked to maintain safe social distance from staff and other participants who are not their family members during this program. Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. After participants have completed and participated in all four sessions, they will receive a $25 Bass Pro gift card (children and parents that participated). For additional information or questions contact Reva Dow at (573) 325-1381.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and The Department of Natural Resources proudly present Kids Fishing Day and Nature Festival, August 15th, 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 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 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 August 14 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

Registration required (ages 8-11)
Fishing is a great way to spend time in nature, and Missouri has lots of great places to go fishing and lots of cool fish to catch. Join us at our Education pond for a morning of fishing fun. We will go over the basics of rod-and-reel fishing then head down to the water to see how many we can catch. Fish on! Program is at the W. Robert Aylward Educational Pond.

Want to learn more about catfishing using alternative methods? If so, join this informative virtual program. Topics will include methods, commonly used baits, as well as rules and regulations.

Please make sure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address, so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.