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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Do you have a passion for fishing? Are you willing to pass that passion on to someone new? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a free workshop to train volunteer instructors for the new Discover Nature-Fishing program from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center in Hannibal.
This program helps kids ages 7 to 15 and families gain the skills and confidence to go fishing on their own. In order to meet the demands of the Discover Nature-Fishing program, MDC is recruiting volunteer instructors to teach anglers of all ages how to fish for a variety of fish species and how to use different types of fishing equipment. Through the program, MDC will work with the volunteer instructors to host a variety of Discover Nature-Fishing events in their community.
"As our society has changed, there are more activities that take up people's time. We want to introduce young people to something they may not have done, and remind adults that fishing is a great way to spend family time, relieve stress, and enjoy the outdoors," said MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Travis Moore. "We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about fishing and willing to share that passion with others."
Volunteers must attend the entire workshop and pass a background check before becoming an instructor.
"We encourage anyone interested in attending the instructor training to bring a friend, family member, or fishing buddy with them. These folks can then teach a workshop together once they are certified," said Moore.
For more than a million anglers, conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. Across Missouri, fishing generates $665 million dollars in local economic benefit each year.
To register for the workshop, call 573-248-2530.
"If you enjoy fishing and want to introduce others to this activity, we would love to hear from you," said Moore.
The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center is located at 301 Warren Barrett Drive, next to Clemens Field in downtown Hannibal.
For more information on fishing opportunities in Missouri, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov.
