Next Weekend Fishing Is Free In Missouri; No Gear Necessary

Ever wanted to try fishing without having to get the gear? Next weekend is your chance, because it's Missouri's Free Fishing Days Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13. And some Missouri State Parks will have gear you can borrow to see if fishing is for you.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation:

During the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June, any person may fish state waters without an MDC fishing permit, trout permit, and prescribed area daily tag.

This however, doesn't get people who want to fish out of any user fees or permits required by cities, counties or private fishing areas.

There are a couple of areas where the Missouri Department of Conservation will have fishing equipment available for those who want to try fishing without investing in the equipment. Free fishing weekend "borrow a pole" events are taking place at both the Cape Girardeau Nature Center in North Cape County Park Lake and at the James Youth Center in Rothwell Park in Moberly. 

Closer to home you can fish for free at Knob Noster State Park. (There isn't a fishing event with equipment you can borrow for free here.) According to their free fishing weekend event page on Facebook, Knob Noster State Park says two great fishing areas are Lake Buteo and Clearfork Lake. "Lake Buteo is located on the east side of the park, across the street from the campground. Clearfork Lake is located on the west side of the park, near the Opossum Hollow trailhead." They also recommend fishing in Clearfork Creek.

You can click here to access Knob Noster State Park's webpage on fishing in the park.