Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces a catfishing clinic, Trotlining for Catfish on the Mississippi River, scheduled for Aug. 13-15. This free course, part of the MDC’s Angler Recruitment Initiative, is designed to provide local anglers with information and skills needed to safely navigate and fish the mighty Mississippi.

“The Mississippi River is probably one of the best, yet overlooked, opportunities for catfishing in Missouri,” said Dave Knuth, MDC Fisheries Management Biologist.

Knuth said the mighty Mississippi has earned a reputation for being difficult to navigate and fish.  During the course of this hands-on workshop, anglers will learn how to safely traverse navigational hazards including floating debris, wing dikes, fluctuating river stages, and swift currents. They will also learn about necessary gear, species specific fishing information, and trot line safety and setting techniques.

The course will begin at the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau, Aug. 13. The next two days will feature hands-on activities at Red Star Fishing Access Ramp in Cape Girardeau. Thursday night will feature a catfish dinner. Participants will bait and set a 10-hook trotline Friday evening. Lines will be retrieved Saturday morning. All equipment will be provided. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Space is limited, so preregistration is required by July 2 by calling the Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.

For information on fishing opportunities in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov/fishing. Anglers can also get weekly fishing reports, annual prospects, permit information and more through MDC’s “Find MO fish” free mobile app, available for download at mdc.mo.gov/node/15421.

Shown in the photo: Missouri Dept of Conservation staff hold a 45-inch, 50 lb., blue catfish collected while electrofishing on the Mississippi River. From left to right are MDC Resource Assistant Forest Copeland, Fisheries Management Biologist Dave Knuth and Conservation Agent Brian Shelton.