The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) connected people with the mighty and fish-filled Missouri River in a free two-part catfish clinic June 5-6. Participants were taught how to set trot lines and bank lines in the river to catch catfish.

The program is an example of the classes and clinics MDC offers in summer to help people enjoy nature, including fishing.

MDC hosted 15 participants at the Big Muddy Alternative Methods Catfish Clinic. The anglers received some training and then set fishing lines before sunset in the river on Saturday, June 5. They learned how to set hooks and lines safely and in ways to boost fish catching success. Eight MDC staff took them out on the river in five boats.

Participants returned to the river early Sunday, June 6, to check lines and remove them. They caught six catfish, including one blue catfish weighing 28 pounds.

For more information about MDC programs in the Kansas City region, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHs.

Photo: MDC’s summer outdoor skills and nature programs take people to the wild side of Missouri. A catfish clinic June 5-6 taught how to catch catfish in the Missouri River. Kimberly Lee from the Kansas City area holds the clinic’s biggest catch, a 28-pound blue catfish. (Photo courtesy John Rittel, Missouri Department of Conservation)