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St. Joseph, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free Discover Nature — Fishing program will have a gridiron twist from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, in St. Joseph. Volunteers from the Missouri Western State University’s (MWSU) football team will assist at a public fishing event for all ages at the South Pond, directly behind Vartabedian Hall on campus.
Brandon Johnson and Kelsey Gillenwater, MDC community conservation assistants, are teaching Discover Nature — Fishing lessons this summer and hosting the event. Both are students in the MWSU Wildlife Conservation and Management program. Johnson is also a junior defensive tackle on the MWSU Griffons football team.
“The team offered to bring out some of the players to help out and fish with the kids,” he said. “They will be wearing their jerseys. I’m really excited for this event.”
MDC will provide fishing equipment and bait. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Fishing permits are not required for fishing during the program. Registration is required. MDC no longer requires groups to register each participant. To register you or your family, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZVq.
MDC will also be offering other free Discover Nature — Fishing lessons in late July. The four-part series teaches the basics of fishing as well as some advanced techniques. MDC provides gear and bait. Then participants go fishing after the instruction with help from instructors. Lesson 1 must be taken before the other three sessions.
These upcoming sessions will be taught from 6 to 8 p.m. at MDC’s Northwest Regional Office, 701 McCarthy Drive, on the MWSU campus. To register for these or other Discover Nature — Fishing lessons in northwest Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHq.
The dates include:
MDC provides the free use of loaner rods and reels, and a tackle box with basic gear, in partnership with libraries and other public entities. Six loaner sites are available in St. Joseph. To find a site near you, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZVc.
