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.
Meet at the large pavilion in Huckleberry Park next to the playground. Fishing is encouraged but optional.
A valid fishing permit is required for Missouri residents ages 16 to 64, and nonresidents ages 16 and up.
Permits are available for purchase online.
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 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.
Ages 7 and above. All children ages 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. Email instructor for assistance with registering for this program.
Lesson 1: Learn the parts and function of a spin cast fishing rod and reel. How to cast safely and successfully. How to fasten basic tackle to a fishing line. Learn techniques to catch fish and handle it properly.
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.
Participants will be able to take what they learned and go fishing.
Meet at the Large pavilion next to the playground in Huckleberry Park. Bring a lawn chair. Fishing is encouraged but optional.
A valid fishing permit is required for Missouri residents ages 16 to 64, and nonresidents ages 16 and up.
Permits are available for purchase online.
Lesson 3; Five Common Missouri Fish - there Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle.
Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations.
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.
Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. Email instructor for assistance with registering for this program.
Lesson 1: Learn the parts and function of a spin cast fishing rod and reel. How to cast safely and successfully. How to fasten basic tackle to a fishing line. Learn techniques to catch fish and handle it properly.
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.
Participants will be able to take what they learned and go fishing.
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.
Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website. Email instructor for assistance with registering for this program
Catch and Release fishing from Hatchery ponds. Event will be located at the Hatchery Office. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles and lures will be provided for those that need them.
To sign up a child, you will have to click "Create an Account" for each child who plans to attend if they do not already have one. This account will be good for any future events as well. You may also add the child's account(s) to your "group account" for easier future management.
For questions or more information contact Blind Pony Hatchery at 660-335-4531.
Discover 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.
MEET AT LITTLE COMPTON LAKE CONSERVATION AREA for an evening of outdoor fun with an overnight camping option. Enjoy archery, fishing, (dinner break), a slide show on dark skies and a tour of the stars with telescopes from the Astronomical Society of Kansas City.
*This is a (Class 3) dark sky area. For comparison, the Blue Springs area is Class 5-6, two-three classes brighter. Little Compton Lake CA is about a 2-hour drive northeast of Blue Springs, MO. *Archery/fishing equipment will be provided by MDC for this program. BRING YOUR OWN FOOD, WATER AND CAMPING GEAR IF YOU CHOOSE TO CAMP FOR THE NIGHT. MO fishing rules apply: 65 and older and under 16 don’t need a license. There is a privy and large gravel parking lot with larger flat mowed area around it (NO ELECTRICITY). It is an MDC area, so no fees to camp. Area regulations say dogs must be leashed.
Archery and fishing programs offered from 5:00PM - 6:30PM. Then, we break for dinner.
People may chose to fish again after they eat.
Dark Skies/Astronomy program from 8:30-10:30PM.
People may choose to camp or drive home after that.
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.
