MDC offers free Missouri River catfishing clinic June 25 and 26 in Kansas City area

Kansas City, Mo. – Big catfish swim in the brawny Missouri River, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) can teach adventurous anglers how to catch them. MDC will offer a free Big Muddy Alternative Methods Catfish Clinic in a two-day program on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, in the Kansas City area. MDC will provide all equipment and materials needed. Space is limited.

The clinic begins at noon on Saturday, June 25, with an orientation and teaching session at MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Demonstrations on how to make and set various types of set lines such as trot lines or jug lines will be given by John Rittel, MDC community education assistant. Rittel will talk about how to use set line methods to target the river’s blue, flathead, and channel catfish. After a dinner break, the clinic will move to the Missouri River. MDC will provide boats and participants will set some trot lines, limb lines, and jug lines for overnight fishing.

“We'll meet again bright and early on Sunday (June 26) morning and head out on the river to collect the fish that we caught overnight,” Rittel said. “We'll also finish the clinic off with a catfish cleaning demonstration.”

This clinic is open to participants ages 11 and older, but youths must be accompanied by an adult. Due to limited space in the boats, only those registered may participate. Each participant must register separately. COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed. Registration is required. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/45N.

MDC will provide a personal floatation device (PDF) for participants, or they may bring their own Coast Guard approved life jackets. But PDFs must be worn at all times while in the boats. Participants will need to bring their own drinks and snacks and dress appropriately for the weather.

To learn more about Big River catfishing in Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/45x.