GO Fish, Interpret and Share our Heritage!

Go Fish!Missouri Department of Conservation’s Angler Education Program

In a continuing effort to bring the citizens of Missouri closer to the fish, forest and wildlife that surrounds them, it is with great excitement the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces the GO FISH! angler education program. The program will introduce or reintroduce St. Louis area children to the wonderful world of fishing and encourage a greater appreciation of conservation. GO FISH! targets children ages 8-15 and provides instruction with fishing opportunities. The GO FISH! program is designed to take kids from first-timers to veteran anglers who understand the interactions of people with the aquatic environment.

GO FISH! is a comprehensive fishing program based on the “Seven Hooks.” Each “Hook” is a separate program covering different angling skills and techniques. A “Hook” lasts two hours—30 minutes of fishing instruction followed by 90 minutes of fishing.

GO FISH! Seven Hooks

1. Basic Fishing I
Fishing equipment basics, baiting techniques, casting
2. Basic Fishing II
Fish handling—(proper way to hold a largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill), knot tying—(Palomar knot and clinch knot)
3. Basic Fishing III
Fish identification—(largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, hybrid sunfish), Fish Biology—(fish anatomy, behavior, life cycle)
4. Lure Fishing
How to identify and use—spinner baits, crank baits, jigs, soft plastics and top water lures
5. Species Specific Fishing
Techniques and baits to specifically target—largemouth bass or channel catfish
6. Cleaning and Cooking
Proper and safe cooking and cleaning techniques, caring for your catch and securing a fish to a stringer. Note: Anglers will not participate in cooking or cleaning the fish. They will learn by demonstration from trained GO FISH! volunteers.
7. Aquatic Ecology, Conservation, & Ethics
Components of healthy aquatic communities-(fish, insects, plants, habitat, etc.), aquatic food webs, how regulations protect aquatic ecosystems and how anglers can impact aquatic conservation

Young anglers are encouraged to participate in all “Seven Hooks.” Upon completion of each “Hook,” anglers will receive a free piece of fishing equipment and information to help with their future fishing adventures. There is no charge to participate in the “Seven Hooks,” but you must register for each “Hook” you wish to attend and a parent or guardian must stay with the angler at all times.

GO FISH! programs are available April through September. Trout programs are available in early fall and late winter. An updated listing of GO FISH! program times, dates and locations are posted at the bottom of this webpage. To make a reservation for a GO FISH! program, please call 636/441-4554.

Go Fish! LocationsGO FISH! programs are available at four St. Louis area Conservation Fishing Centers: Bellefontaine Conservation Area, Forest Park, Suson Park and August A. Busch Conservation Area.

GO FISH! relies heavily upon dedicated volunteers who are enthusiastic about teaching young anglers all about fishing. Volunteers are trained by MDC and provided with everything needed to teach anglers the “Seven Hooks.” If you would like to become a GO FISH! volunteer, fill out the application and mail to:

Denise Otto, MDC Fisheries Biologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
2360 Highway D
St. Charles, MO 63304
(636) 300-1953 x243
Denise.Otto@mdc.mo.gov

All GO FISH! volunteers must attend GO FISH! Volunteer Training. Volunteer training will be held on April 25, 2009 at the Jim Tom Blair Building (St. Louis Regional Office) located in the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, call (636) 441-4554 to register. To find out more about GO FISH! Volunteer Training contact Denise Otto.

Once young anglers are hooked on fishing, it is critical that they continue to fish. Mentoring new anglers greatly increases the chance of transforming a new angler into a life-long angler. Mentors such as family members, conservation groups, boys/girls clubs, schools, YMCA and neighborhood associations will ensure fishing adventures for new anglers. GO FISH! offers a wide variety of options for individuals who wish to help with this program including:

Donations such as: fishing equipment/materials, volunteer rewards, promotional donations, fishing event organization, or transportation will help ensure program success.

Monetary donations can be made to GO FISH! by making checks payable to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and mailing to:

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 366
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Please include a note that outlines your wishes for the donation to be used only for St. Louis-Region-Kids Fishing Program, account #A14-303T.

Events

Events for Friday, July 3 - Saturday, October 31, 2009
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Forest Park Friday, July 10
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III
Sunday, July 12, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake15 Friday, July 10
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Suson Park Friday, July 10
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Thursday, July 16, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Wednesday, July 15
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Suson Park Wednesday, July 15
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Channel Catfish
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Forest Park Friday, July 17
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, July 17
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Largemouth Bass
Sunday, July 19, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, July 17
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Largemouth Bass
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Suson Park Friday, July 17
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Channel Catfish
Saturday, July 25, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, July 24
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing I
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Forest Park Friday, July 24
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, July 24
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Channel Catfish
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Suson Park Friday, July 24
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing II
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Forest Park Friday, July 24
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Largemouth Bass
Thursday, July 30, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Wednesday, July 29
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Largemouth Bass
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Suson Park Wednesday, July 29
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, July 31
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Suson Park Wednesday, August 5
GO FISH!-Basic Fishing III
Thursday, August 6, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Wednesday, August 5
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Suson Park Friday, August 7
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Sunday, August 9, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, August 7
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Channel Catfish
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, August 14
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Suson Park Friday, August 14
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, August 15, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, August 14
GO FISH!-Species Specific Fishing-Largemouth Bass
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, August 21
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, August 22, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, August 21
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Suson Park Friday, August 21
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Suson Park Wednesday, August 26
GO FISH!-Fishing with Lures
Thursday, August 27, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Wednesday, August 26
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, August 28
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, September 4
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 11
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 12, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 11
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Sunday, September 13, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 11
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 11
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 19, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 18
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, September 18
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 18
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Sunday, September 20, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 18
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 18
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, September 26, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 25
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Bellefontaine Conservation Area Friday, September 25
GO FISH!-Cooking and Cleaning Your Catch
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 25
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Sunday, September 27, 2009
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area-Lake 15 Friday, September 25
GO FISH!-Aquatic Ecology, Conservation and Ethics
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Suson Park Friday, September 25