If you’d like to try your hand at fishing but don’t have a permit yet, you’re in luck. This weekend on June 9 and 10, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Free Fishing Days will allow anyone to fish in the state without a fishing permit, trout permit or trout park daily tag. The MDC offers a number Free Fishing Days throughout the year, which you can find on their website. (The permits normally cost $7 per day for anyone or $12 per year for residents and $42 per year for non-residents.)
The MDC’s free MO Fishing app is available to download through Google Play or the Apple Store and helps anglers find fishing areas, identify fish species, check regulation information and more. Check out some of 435’s top Missouri fishing spots:
BLUE SPRINGS LAKE
- Location: 1500 N.E. Bowlin Rd., Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- Information: 816-622-0900
- Best Bets: Hybrid Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Black Crappie,Flathead Fish, Common Carp
JAMES A. REED MEMORIAL WILDLIFE AREA
- Location: 12405 S.E. Ranson Rd., Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- Information: 816-622-0900
- Best Bets: Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Redear Sunfish, White Crappie, Black Crappie
LAKE JACOMO
- Location: 7401 W. Park Rd., Blue Springs, Mo.
- Information: 816-795-8888
- Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, White Crappie, White Bass, Walleye, Flathead Catfish
LONGVIEW LAKE
- Location: 11101 Raytown Rd., Lee’s Summit, Mo.
- Information: 816-767-0727
- Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, White Crappie, Common Carp, White Bass, Flathead Catfish
LOWER SOUTH GRAND RIVER
- Location: Public access is available at the Settle’s Ford Conservation Area south of Creighton, and from Old HWY 18 west of Clinton
- Information: 816-622-0900
- Best Bets: Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Paddlefish, White Bass, White Crappie, Longnose Gar, Bigmouth Buffalo
