Fishing is a great way to spend time with family and friends creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a full-blown vacation or a quiet Saturday morning, fishing can get you away from it all. All you need is a pole, a line, a hook, some bait, and a permit.
No matter where you live in Missouri, a great fishing trip is close to home. Check Places to Go for conservation areas with fishing opportunities near you.
Essential equipment includes a rod, reel, hook, line, and lure. Check the fishing gear page to see if you have the correct equipment.
In addition to sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses can protect you from too much sun and the glare reflecting off the water.
Put your kit in a waterproof case, especially if you are fishing from a boat. Be sure to include the basics in your kit: bandages, sterile pads, pain relievers, disinfectant, and an antibiotic cream.
You can purchase permits online or in most Missouri sporting goods stores.
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.
Participants who complete all DNF Lessons (1-4) will be rewarded the choice between a FREE Zebco 202 fishing rod, stocked tackle box, or fishing net.
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, Huston Spellman with questions.
Huston.Spellman@mdc.mo.gov
573-815-7900 ext. 2926Join us and learn how to clean and prepare most species of common Missouri fish.
We'll start the afternoon off catching a few fish. Then we'll clean the fish that we caught . We'll also prepare those fish using some favorite Methods. Participants will be able to sample what we cook
Missouri Department of Conservation with provide all fishing equipment, fish cleaning equipment and cooking equipment.
Program is appropriate for adults and families with children over the age of 8. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Fishing permits are not required to fish during this event.
*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*
Lesson 3: Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.
Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures techniques, as well as identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.
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 and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.
To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.
*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.
Participants who complete all DNF Lessons (1-4) will be rewarded the choice between a FREE Zebco 202 fishing rod, stocked tackle box, or fishing net.
Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website.
Please email Huston Spellman, Community Education Assistant with questions.
Huston.Spellman@mdc.mo.gov
573-815-7900 ext. 2926Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1
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 spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.
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 and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.
To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.
Date: May 17th
Location: Stephens Lake Park
Join us for a family fishing day in the park! Fishing poles, tackle, bait, and instruction will be provided. This is a great opportunity for anyone you know who is interested in fishing but does not have the gear to do so. Anyone is welcome. Stop by to grab a fishing pole and start fishing!
Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult AT ALL TIMES.
Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit during this event.
Registration is NOT required to attend.
Please email Huston Spellman, Community Education Assistant with questions.
Huston.Spellman@mdc.mo.gov 573-815-7900 ext. 2926Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers 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.
Equipment, bait and fishing coaches will be provided.
Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.
Each participant must register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. For assistance with registration please email the program instructor.
Lesson 3 & 4 are part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 3 & 4 are appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older.
