MDC to hold Discover Nature - Fishing event on June 8

Families will get a chance to learn about the fun of fishing
at a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
Discover Nature Fishing program (pictured above)
June 8 at MDC's Bois D'Arc Aquatic Education Pond
in Greene County. 

 Free program will be at MDC's Bois D'Arc Aquatic Education Pond in Greene County.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Fishing is a great way to connect families with the outdoors. It’s a great tool to introduce children to healthier lifestyles and it’s a good activity for strengthening family bonds. These are some of the many benefits of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Discover Nature – Fishing Program.

This program provides free lessons to help kids and families gain skills and confidence to enjoy fishing through a series of four instructional sessions:

• Lesson 1: Equipment, casting, proper fish handling
• Lesson 2: How to tie a knot and bait a hook
• Lesson 3: Five common Missouri fish – their anatomy, habitats and life cycles
• Lesson 4: Fishing with lures, fishing regulations

Interested families will have a chance to take Lessons 1 and 2 of the Discover Nature – Fishing program classes at MDC’s Bois D’Arc Aquatic Education Pond on June 8. The program will be from 6-9 p.m. The Bois D’Arc Aquatic Education Pond is part of MDC’s Bois D’Arc Conservation Area and is located at 4045 State Highway UU near Bois D’Arc in western Greene County.

All fishing gear will be provided by MDC staff. Participants should wear clothing and closed-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. People can register for this event at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/192680

Each participant must register for this program individually. To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make a separate account for your child. Participants will not need a fishing permit to take part in this program. For questions about this event or about the registration process, contact MDC Community Education Assistant Jeanell Stockton at Jeanell.Stockton@mdc.mo.gov or at 417-737-0698.

People can get information about other upcoming Discover Nature Fishing classes can be found at mdc.mo.gov.

REMINDER to Discover Nature with MDC at State Fair starting this week

See wildlife, learn about conservation, have hands-on fun discovering nature Aug. 11-21.

SEDALIA, Mo. -- Discover nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 11-21. Visit MDC’s Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to see aquaria full of live fish and other aquatic wildlife along with displays of other live native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Ask conservation questions of MDC staff, get educational materials, and have fun.

Check out the Department’s air-conditioned Conservation Kids’ Discovery Room between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.to have hands-on fun discovering nature through crafts and other activities.

Enjoy conservation-related demonstrations at the Department’s outdoor pavilion.

• See a live eagle and other birds of prey up close at the Raptors of Missouripresentation on Aug. 11 and Aug. 20 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
• Learn how to prepare a fresh catch at the Fish Cooking and Cleaning lesson onAug. 12 and Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Learn about black bears in Missouri and how to Be Bear Aware Aug. 14 and Aug. 21at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease, what MDC is doing to limit the spread of this deadly deer disease, and what hunters and others can do to at Missouri’s Deer Herd: CWD Updates on Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Discover what makes bees, butterflies and other pollinators so important at The Buzz About Insect Pollinators on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Find out how to stop exotic invasive plants and animals threatening the state at Alien Invaders in Missouri! on Aug. 18 with displays and activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• See a working model of a sawmill in operation at Forest Products: The Circular Sawmill on Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Learn more about MDC programs, events and other offerings at mdc.mo.gov.

Related articles

• Discover Nature with MDC at State Fair Aug. 11-21 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Michigan: Antlerless deer license applications on sale through Aug. 15 (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• DNR expands Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease zone (mlive.com)

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.   

MDC offers free Discover Nature — Fishing programs

Upcoming classes in the Kansas City area teach angling basics

Kansas City, Mo. – Fishing’s mysteries are solvable. What swims beneath the water’s surface? How can rods, reels and lures be used to catch one? I caught one, what next?

   Discover Nature — Fishing provides the answers, puts loaner fishing gear in an angler’s hands and provides instruction at the water’s edge as participants follow class time with actual fishing. This free program offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offered in four class sessions.  In May, two sets of those sessions are being offered in the Kansas City area. One set will be offered at the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs, and the other at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit.

   “We provide a very easy way for people to come and get hands-on instruction and ask questions that are pertinent to them,” said Pam Lanigan, MDC fisheries regional supervisor.

   The lesson outline includes:

• Lesson One: Equipment, Casting, and Proper Fish Handling
• Lesson Two: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
• Lesson Three: Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle
• Lesson Four: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations 

       “We’re teaching people how to fish from the basics and then go on to become an experienced angler,” Lanigan said.

   MDC provides fishing equipment for the lessons. Participants will learn what kind of gear is needed for the type of fishing they would like to do and how to use it effectively. By lesson three they will learn what fish utilize different types of water, such as lakes, ponds or streams, and their preferences for food and habitat as the seasons change.

   After each class, instructors and participants will try out gear and skills at a pond or lake near the class site. If questions arise about casting techniques, lures or bait, instructors can answer them.

   “You get to try out your skills right away,” Lanigan said. “They immediately take you fishing. An instructor is standing beside you.”

   Participants must take Lesson One and Lesson Two to be eligible for Lesson Three and Lesson Four. They can take the lessons at varied locations as they are offered.

   To sign up for the classes at Burr Oak Woods or the Reed Area, call 816-622-0900. For the dates and times of the Discover Nature — Fishing classes in the Kansas City area, and elsewhere in the state, visit http://on.mo.gov/1HWUast. More classes will be offered through the summer.

   This link also provides more information about the free program and links to other angling information such as basic fishing tips, places to fish and classes on how to clean or cook fish. Also, a link is provided to sites such as community libraries where MDC has provided fishing gear that can be checked out and used for free, just like checking out and returning a book from the library. MDC also welcomes inquiries from volunteers who would like to help teach Discover Nature — Fishing.