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ST. JAMES, Mo. – Missouri’s fifth largest spring, free trout fishing, a casting contest with prizes, and free hotdogs are all part of the fun at Kids’ Fishing Day, Saturday, May 14. The event is put on by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in cooperation with The James Foundation. It offers free fishing and other fun activities for kids ages 15 years of age and younger at Maramec Spring Park, located near St. James. The park will open at 5:30 a.m. and the Kids Fishing Day event will go from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids 15 years of age and younger. Free daily fishing tags for qualifying children can be picked up at the Mill Field Shelter the day of the event, or at the reception building on May 13.
MDC will stock rainbow trout throughout the day to ensure plenty of action to keep kids excited. Volunteers, along with MDC staff, will be on hand all day to assist young anglers with fishing. Among them will be some lunkers and tagged fish kids can redeem for prizes. A limited number of loaner fishing poles will be available, but kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles and equipment.
A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m. with prizes to be awarded. Free hotdogs and soda will also be available. Other attractions like fly tying demos educational exhibits, games and activities are planned from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fish print t-shirts will be on sale for $5. There will be free parking for cars with children 15 and under.
Kids’ Free Fishing Day is an ideal opportunity to help kids discover fishing and enjoy a day out at beautiful Maramec Spring Park. The event will be held rain or shine.
Maramec Spring Park, owned and operated by The James Foundation, is located on Highway 8 about six miles east of St. James, approximately and hour and a half from the St. Louis area. The park’s hatchery is administered by MDC and produces about 100,000 trout each year.
For more information about the event, call the Maramec Spring Hatchery at 573-265-7801, or email MDC Assistant Hatchery Manager Rachelle Connell at Rachelle.Connell@mdc.mo.gov. For more information about fishing, go online to https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing.
