Trout Parks Plan Youth Fishing Events In May

[Phil Lilley]

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends.

Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories.

May 17 is Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park. The park will open at 5:30 a.m. with fishing starting at 6:30 a.m. and continuing until 8:15 p.m. Kids fish free, and there will be no parking fee for cars with kids 15 and younger.

The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for their exclusive use. Rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the day to help ensure fishing success. Volunteers will be on hand all day to help kids with fishing. Kids are expected to bring their own fishing equipment.

The Maramec Spring Trout Fishermen's Association will sponsor fishing contests from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m., with 11 trophies to be awarded. Free hotdogs and soda will be provided. Prizes galore will be given away all day long, including bicycles, 50 fishing rod-and-reel sets, other fishing equipment, savings bonds and numerous attendance prizes.

There will be exhibits, contests and activities from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the area around the registration tent. These include making fish-print T-shirts, critter stamping, a stream table, aquarium fish display, taxidermy, photographs, aquatic entomology and games. Fly fishing demonstrations and classes will be held on the stream.

Kids who want to fish must pick up a free fishing tag at the Millfield Shelter adjacent to the fishing area. Included with the free tag is a “goody bag” containing a variety of free items. These will be available the day before Kid’s Day and all day Saturday. The first 1,500 kids to arrive will receive a special “Kid’s Fishing Sports Bottle.”

For more information call 573/265-7801 or email paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov, or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/2921.