MDC to hold Kids' Fishing Day June 10 at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Southwest Banner MDC to hold Kids' Fishing Day June 10 at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery

 

Event aimed at anglers age 15 and under.

BRANSON, Mo. – Young anglers will have opportunities to catch fish at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Kids’ Fishing Day on June 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bella Donna Education Pond at MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery near Branson. The event is open to anglers ages 15 and under.

Sunfish and channel catfish will be the fish anglers will be trying to catch at the pond, which is east of the main hatchery complex. (Signs will direct people to the event.) A few loaner fishing poles will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment.  MDC staff will be providing worms for bait, but participants can bring their own, too. No registration is required for this event. For more information, call 417-334-4865, ext. 0. Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery is located at 483 Hatchery Road in Branson.

This event is being held in conjunction with Free Fishing Weekend, the annual event in June through which fishing permits are not required at any state-managed fishing location. It should be noted that all other fishing regulations (length limits, possession limits, etc.) still apply for Free Fishing Weekend.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding in-person and virtual programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

Missouri Fishing

MDC Cape Nature Center hosts Youth Pond Catfishing Clinic June 11

Ages 7 to 17 can learn the time-honored skill of fishing for catfish.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – There was a time when very few Missouri children didn’t know how to fish – especially for catfish. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fisheries biologists plan to start a catfishing revival with their Youth Pond Catfishing Clinic June 11 at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

“Fishing is something virtually anyone can have success with,” said Kamaria Pearson, MDC angler education specialist. “This is an opportunity for youth to learn to catch catfish and then have that skill to fall back on for life.”

Pearson said fishing is important to childhood development because of the time spent outdoors. Fishing, as well as other outdoor activities, helps to reduce stress levels and improve academic abilities in children. It’s also a skill that can put food on the table, Pearson said.

“Missouri is a great place to fish, which is why many Missourians remember a time where the weekend family fish-fry was a regular occurrence,” she said. “Kids went fishing with their parents and grandparents all the time – it’s just what they did. With this and other fishing programs, we’re hoping to introduce today’s youth to the fun of fishing and its many rewards.”

Pearson said the clinic is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with opportunities to learn about the native catfish species of Missouri, their life cycle, and habitat before trying their luck at the pond. Registration is required by June 10. To register, or for more information, call the center at(573)290-5218. For more information about fishing in Missouri, go online tomdc.mo.gov/fishing.