Fish for free June 12-13

By Brian Johnson

Nevada Daily Mail

On June 12-13, fishing is free in Missouri.

On Saturday and Sunday. Missouri fishermen young and old can fish at any lake, river and reservoir in the state without having a permit.

The free fishing weekend has become a popular event over the years, and is aimed at promoting fishing as family outdoor recreation.

"It's been around for a while," said Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries management biologist Tom Priesendorf.

Priesendorf said the Missouri Department of Conservation tries to give the people one weekend every summer a chance to fish. He believes that the free weekend will bring back people who haven't fished in a long time.

"Maybe it will rekindle people's love of fishing," Priesendorf said. "It's a great offer with lots of benefits."

Almost everyone likes the word free, although in Missouri, resident fishing permits aren't a high-cost item.

Priesendorf said many people make use of the free fishing day each year.

Priesendorf thinks of fishing as a family activity. He said fishermen can bring children, spouses and siblings along, and relax, talk, have fun and fish.

"Hopefully this weekend is a reminder that fishing is a family activity," Priesendorf said. "That is the most beneficial part of the sport."

If you are one of the many that will fish this weekend you are in for some good news. Priesendorf said that everything is in season at this time.

"Channel catfish are good right now," he said. "If you have a boat, crappie are good too. bluegill and bass are good bets in a reservoir. It all depends on where you go."

Many of the lakes in this area like Harmony Mission Lake, Bushwhacker Lake, Atkinson Lake and Nevada city park lakes are open and each has a good population of fish.

One lake that will remain closed for at least another year is Radio Springs.

Radio Springs is still trying to develop a decent population of fathead minnows, redear sunfish, channel catfish and bluegills.

One reason why the lake has not yet developed a good population is the presence of geese. The waste the birds produce fertilizes the water and contributes to the poor water quality.

A city ordinance prohibits feeding geese in the park.