MDC begins free Discover Nature — Fishing classes in northwest Missouri

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News from the region
Northwest
Published Date
05/21/2021
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St. Joseph, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has begun offering free Discover Nature — Fishing classes in northwest Missouri to help new anglers connect with the sport. These classes give participants basic and advanced fishing skills through four separate lessons, which include actual fishing experience with the help of instructors.

MDC has announced that Kelsey Gillenwater and Brandon Johnson will serve as community education assistants and teach the classes. Both are students in the wildlife management program at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

The first sessions will be for youths ages 9-15. Lessons 1 and 2 will be taught from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, starting at MDC’s Northwest Regional Office on the Missouri Western campus. The classes will move to Everyday Pond on campus to try out their new fishing skills. MDC provides all the equipment necessary.

Discover Nature Fishing lessons 3 and 4 will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, at the same locations. Registration is required for the classes. A state fishing permit is not required during the lessons. Participants must take lesson 1 prior to taking the other three classes.

The classes teach:

  • Lesson 1: equipment, casting, and property fish handling.
  • Lesson 2: how to tie a knot and bait a hook.
  • Lesson 3: five common Missouri fish, their anatomy, habitat and life cycle.
  • Lesson 4: fishing with lures and fishing regulations.

MDC will also offer other Discover Nature — Fishing classes through the summer at various locations. To register for the current classes or to watch for upcoming lessons in the northwest region, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zrm.