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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Fishing helps kids discover nature and conserve it, too. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites youth and families to any of three free trout fishing clinics across central Missouri. Workshops will take place, weather permitting, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at three different locations on Saturdays this February:
“Winter trout fishing is a great way to introduce kids to fishing, get the family out in nature to make memories together,” said MDC Angler Education Assistant Don Rahm. “With proper permits, it can also be a fun way to provide food for the whole family to share.”
MDC partners with communities across the state to stock trout in urban lakes during winter months. This expands public fishing opportunities for these cold-water fish, otherwise only found in spring-fed streams in Missouri.
Through a partnership with Columbia, Jefferson City, and Fulton parks and recreation departments, as well as Trout Unlimited Mid-Missouri and Capitol City Fly Fishers, MDC will provide fishing poles and bait for those who do not bring their own tackle. Participants between the ages of 16 and 65 must possess a valid fishing permit. An additional valid MDC trout fishing permit will allow anglers to keep as many as four trout each. Anglers who immediately release their catch do not need to possess a trout fishing permit.
Participants must preregister for the workshop they choose to attend by visiting goo.gl/forms/iMoqBr4e7e5p4Iau1.
For additional information on these and other Discover Nature Fishing events, contact Rahm at Don.Rahm@mdc.mo.gov or (573) 815-7901, ext. 2968.
Buy Missouri fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the Conservation Department's free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available through Google Playfor Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.
