Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 7 and 8. During Free Fishing Days, anyone can fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout stamp, or trout park daily tag. Normal regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler can keep. Some private fishing areas may still require permits, and trespass laws remain in effect on private property.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample the state's abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri is blessed with more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. According to MDC, more than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with 40 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers.

Conservation also enriches Missouri’s economy and Missourians’ quality of life. Fishing in the state generates more than a billion dollars for local communities and the state’s economy, and supports thousands of jobs.

Public fishing areas are available in every county in Missouri. Many state-owned fishing areas also have special facilities for anglers with disabilities. Contact your local MDC office for Free Fishing Days near you, or go online to mdc.mo.gov/node/3675.

For information on Missouri fishing regulations, permit requirements, fish identification and more, get a copy of MDC’s “2014 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations” where permits are sold, at MDC offices, and online at mdc.mo.gov/node/6108.

MDC also offers a weekly fishing report and annual fishing prospects report for general fishing conditions at selected lakes, rivers, and trout parks across Missouri. Get the report online at fishing.mdc.mo.gov/newsletter and sign up to receive a weekly email update.

Anglers can also get weekly fishing reports and annual prospects, plus more, through MDC’s “Find MO Fish” free app for mobile phones and other mobile devices. Find MO Fish has a geo-location feature to guide boats right up to fish-attractor locations. Find MO Fish also includes a “Best Bets” location feature for certain fish species. Anglers can also view regulations for specific fish species and locations, and get detailed information on various species through the included Fish Guide. The free app will even show you how to obtain fishing permits. Learn more and download Find MO Fish at mdc.mo.gov/node/15421.