Celebrate fathers with free fishing days, fishing programs at Cape Nature Center

Free fishing weekend is June 6 and 7, which presents the perfect time for fathers to fish with their children.

Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to spend time fishing with dear old dad. If you haven't discovered the joy of fishing with your children, June offers a nice opportunity to celebrate Father's Day and learn how to fish, all at the same time. This year, Missouri's free fishing weekend is June 6 and 7, which lends the perfect opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a permit first. The annual Free Fishing Days give everyone the chance to fish in state waters without a permit, trout permit or prescribed area daily tag during those days.

After you sample fishing on free fishing weekend, you can take it a step further with the Missouri Department of Conservation Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center's other fishing opportunities in June. Ages 16 and up are welcome to attend a fly fishing program Saturday, June 13. The program is offered once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Participants will learn the basics of fly fishing and pick up new technical skills such as equipment selection and use, reading the water, matching the hatch, fly casting, fishing techniques and essential knots. A fishing permit is required for this course and registration begins June 2. Equipment will be available for loan during the program.

Wrap up your month-long Father's Day celebration at the Nature Center for the Father's Day Fish Fry, Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Guests will learn the basics of fishing such as casting, tying a knot, baiting hooks and cleaning fish before sampling fish recipes. Adult supervision is required for ages 5 to 17. Attendees 16 and up must have a valid fishing permit.

With all of these fishing opportunities, you could master fishing with your children and build lasting memories all month. Register for events at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center by calling 573-290-5218. Find more programs like these at www.mdc.mo.gov/capenaturecenter.