MDC provides channel catfishing opportunities at Kansas City area lakes

Ponds and lakes in urban neighborhoods are stocked with catfish

Kansas City, Mo. – Channel catfish are a popular sport fish because they’re fun to catch and they make fine table fare. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) provides close-to-home catfishing opportunities by stocking 9 lakes in Kansas City, one in Raymore, and one in Liberty with channel catfish.

Catfish are stocked at various times through the summer. They are usually 14 to 16 inches long. Catfish are native to Missouri waters. In some of the deeper lakes, some stocked fish may grow to larger sizes.

The urban catfishing program is popular and the fish readily bite various baits. Different anglers will have a variety of favorite baits, from the venerable earthworm to prepared baits available in stores. But two baits tend to rise to the top of the favorite list _ shrimp and pepperoni, said Cpl. Derek Cole, an MDC agent in Jackson County.

With pepperoni, some people use cubes of pepperoni, Cole said. Others fold sliced pepperoni and thread it onto the hook, and often put a piece of earthworm on last to help hold the pepperoni on the hook.

“I don’t know if it is the oil in the pepperoni that they like,” he said, “but it does not take long for fish to hit it. I’ve seen people catch fish with this plenty of times.”

Special fishing regulations apply at the urban lakes. Missouri residents over 15 and under 65 need a Missouri Fishing Permit. Non-residents over 15 need a fishing permit. Fish may be taken by pole and line method only. No more than three poles may be used by any one person. The daily limit is four catfish.

MDC encourages anglers to use social distancing when afield and follow their local community protocols as a precaution against the COVID-19 virus.

The summer catfish program is a partnership between MDC and the Kansas City, Raymore, and Liberty park departments. For a list of the lakes stocked with catfish in Kansas City metro area and information about them, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zp7. A recorded hotline provides information about the latest fish stocking, call 816-525-0300.

MDC provides many catfishing opportunities in lakes and rivers throughout Missouri. To learn more, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/catfish.

MDC stocks rainbow trout at Kansas City area lakes

Stocked trout give anglers an additional winter outdoor option in the metro area

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) annual winter trout fishing season is underway in the Kansas City metro area. Trout were stocked at four locations on Nov. 18.

   Three lakes were stocked at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area at Lee’s Summit. Coot Lake and Plover Lake each received 2,000 trout. Plus 14 lunker trout from the MDC Fish Hatchery at Bennett Spring were stocked in each lake. Also, 200 trout were stocked in Honker Pond, which is open for youth fishing only.

   Lakes at the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex in Liberty were stocked with 1,000 pan-sized rainbow trout and 14 lunkers. The complex is at 2200 E. Old 210 Highway in Liberty, east of Missouri 291.

   MDC stocked 1,000 trout in Chaumiere Lake, which is in the Kansas City park system. Chaumiere Lake is near Interstate 35 and the intersection of North Cleveland Avenue and Northeast 43rd Terrace.

   Trout require cold, clear water and are not native to the Kansas City area. But winter temperatures cool lakes and enable them to support trout. MDC stocks trout in urban lakes to give anglers additional opportunities to catch a fun, good-eating fish close to home.  

   Statewide trout fishing regulations apply. All Missouri residents over age 15 and under 65 must have a valid fishing permit, and all non-residents over age 15 must have a fishing permit. The daily limit is four trout. To keep trout, all anglers must have a Missouri trout permit.

   MDC will also be re-stocking the lakes with trout at intervals throughout the winter. A winter trout fishing hotline for the Kansas City metro area with updates on stocking is available at816-525-0300, ext. 4001.

   For information on winter trout fishing in Missouri, visit http://on.mo.gov/1k87SOk.

MDC hosts Discover Nature Field Day for KC youths

Partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City connects kids with nature

Kansas City, Mo. – They touched snakes, petted turtles, caught fish and sent an arrow into a bullseye. Youths attending the kickoff on Tuesday, June 23, for the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) annual Discover Nature Field Day connected with nature and learned outdoor skills. This annual event at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area is a cooperative partnership between MDC and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City.

  

 More than 1,000 youths from urban Kansas City will participate in the four-day Field Day, said Wendy Parrett, an MDC education consultant who coordinated the event. Attendees range from kindergarten students to seniors in high school. Volunteers from the Missouri Master Naturalists assisted MDC staff in teaching skills and making presentations.

   Youths tried out a buffalo hide lean to, learned about wild edibles such as walnuts. Live snakes and turtles always draw interest. But youths also netted bugs in the water and bugs in the prairie. Fishing was popular, the bluegill were biting. Older youths paddled canoes. They learned pellet gun and archery shooting skills with instruction from staff.

   MDC’s nature and interpretive centers offer similar outdoor education programs through the summer for youths and adults. For information, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/nature-and-interpretive-centers.

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Summer Fishing Fun in Kansas City!

The 10th annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby hosted by Urban American Outdoors in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Katie Steiger-Meister/USFWS.

On June 20, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assisted Urban American Outdoors and Kansas City Parks with the 10th Annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby in Kansas City, Missouri.

The morning sun was out and the temperature creeping from warm to hot as more than 200 children and their families arrived at Spring Valley Park in Kansas City, Missouri ready for some summer fishing fun. Hosted by Urban American Outdoors and Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was on-hand to assist. Director Dan Ashe, Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius and staff from Neosho National Fish Hatchery participated in the fishing derby and monarch butterfly activities.

The event began with Wayne Hubbard, host of Urban American Outdoors, welcoming participants and partners. As part of the opening remarks, Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, presented honorary Kansas City Monarch jerseys to Dan Ashe, Wayne Hubbard and Assistant to the Director of Kansas City Parks, Mark Bowland. A handful of lucky participants were then chosen to help the new honorary Monarchs plant a butterfly garden by the fishing derby pond.  By 9:00 a.m.  the plants were in the ground and the first hooks were in the water as kids got down to business and started fishing. By 9:05 a.m. the first fish was being pulled from the water and screams of shock and delight from children could be heard echoing across the pond.

Staff from Neosho National Fish Hatchery and members of their friends group were a pivotal part of the day, stocking the pond with channel catfish from Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery in Oklahoma and bringing dozens of fishing rods and boxes of bait to share with participants. Project Leader Dave Hendrix, fishery biologist Roderick May, education specialist Bruce Hallman, maintenance mechanic Raymond Villa and members of their friends group helped introduce numerous kids to the fun of fishing.

Monarch Watch also participated in the event. Executive Director Chip Taylor and a handful of staff and volunteers set up a tent where kids and their families could see live monarch butterflies, caterpillars and pupas. They also provided seed packets for participants interested in starting their own butterfly gardens.

Whether it was a catfish on their hook or caterpillar on their hand, the event helped hundreds of Kansas City children experienced the thrill of being outdoors and interacting with nature. With downtown Kansas City only minutes away, the event underscored that kids don’t have to go far to start playing in nature.