There is nothing like a free sample to get your attention or maybe even get you addicted. The state Department of Conservation is offering several opportunities to get people hooked on fishing at no charge.
The first chance is this weekend and targets young children when the department and the James Foundation team up for the annual Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park near St. James.
The event is much more than just a free day at the stream. Special presentations and prize opportunities are planned to excite anglers age 15 and under. The real draw will be the rainbow trout that will be stocked throughout the day to ensure plenty of action.
The park will open at 5:30 a.m. and the Kids Fishing Day event is scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids. Free daily fishing tags for children will be available to pick up Friday, at the James Foundation Store and on Saturday at the Mill Pavilion by the big tent. Any car that has a child 15 and under gets into the park for free.
In addition to the regular stocking-sized, 12-inch trout, the state will release some “lunker” fish and others that have tags that can be turned in for prizes. Volunteers and conservation department staff will be available all day to assist young anglers.
A limited number of loaner fishing poles will be available, so children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Adults may assist the young anglers in the designated fishing area, but all fishing has to be done by the kids.
For those family members who are not as interested in fishing, the World Bird Sanctuary will feature a live bald eagle and American kestrel in a special birds-of-prey presentation. Other activities and demonstrations will include attractions like archery, T-shirt painting and a casting contest. Free hot dogs and soda will be available, and there will be drawings for big prizes.
Maramec Spring is the fifth-largest spring in Missouri and is owned and operated by the James Foundation. The conservation department manages the trout hatchery at the spring and raises about 100,000 trout in the cold water every year.
The park is about six miles east of St. James on Hwy. 8, about 90 minutes southwest of the St. Louis area. For more information about Kids Fishing Day, call 573-265-7801.
For the more experienced set, Free Fishing Days return June 7-8. That annual celebration is always the weekend following the first Monday in June. In Missouri and most other states, anglers are not required to purchase a state fishing license, trout permit or daily fishing tag. All regulations on minimum fish sizes and daily creel limits still apply.
Fishing educators from the conservation department will host a special event at four locations in the St. Louis region to provide hands-on training from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7. The event is for anglers of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing will be catch-and-release only. All equipment, including bait, will be provided for those who register in advance online using the links for each location below.
Forest Park Hatchery, St. Louis City: short.mdc.mo.gov/4Ce
Suson Park, south St. Louis County: short.mdc.mo.gov/4Ch
Bellefontaine Conservation Area, north St. Louis County: short.mdc.mo.gov/4C7
Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area, Franklin County: short.mdc.mo.gov/4C8
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.