MDC invites youth, families to free fishing classes in Columbia

Four Discover Nature – Fishing courses offered on Tuesday evenings in August, September.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites kids and their families to a free, four-class series of fishing workshops in August and September.  The Discover Nature – Fishing workshops will cover the basics of fishing from tackle to knot-tying, and participants will gain the skills and confidence to go fishing on their own. 

The free Discover Nature – Fishing classes will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings in August and September at Bass Pro Lake, 3101 Bass Pro Drive in Columbia.  MDC will provide all needed equipment and supplies.  Each of the four lessons will focus on a different topic:

• Lesson 1 – Equipment, casting, and proper fish handling (Aug. 23)
• Lesson 2 – How to tie a knot and bait a hook (Aug. 30)
• Lesson 3 – Five common Missouri fish: anatomy, habitat, and lifecycle (Sept. 13)
• Lesson 4 – Fishing with lures and fishing regulations (Sept. 20)

“Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and these classes will offer kids and families unique opportunities to get a hands-on education about fishing in Misosuri.  They will also help enable young anglers to enjoy a lifetime of fishing fun as they grow older,” said MDC Angler Education Assistant Don Rahm. 

Discover Nature – Fishing focuses primarily on reaching kids 7 – 15 years of age and emphasizes family involvement.  All kids must be accompanied by an adult and all participants must preregister by visiting http://tinyurl.com/o7s5gst, or emailing Don.Rahm@mdc.mo.gov.