MDC to temporarily waive fishing permits starting Friday

Starting March 27, people may fish in Missouri without a permit through April 15.

Jefferson City, MO - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Commission announce they are temporarily waiving permit requirements for sport fishing and daily trout tags for Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended.

The waiver of needing a permit or trout tag to fish will run from Friday, March 27, through April 15. MDC will reassess the situation at that point. All season dates and limits will continue to apply and be enforced. 

“The current public-health emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) has many Missourians and others looking for safe ways to get outside in nature,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “Missouri’s rivers and streams offer high quality fishing as a way for people to connect with nature while still complying with all health and safety recommendations. Fishing is also a great way to get some much needed physical and mental health benefits during this stressful time.” 

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water with most of it providing great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers. Get more info on Missouri fishing at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing

Pauley added that it is still critical for everyone to continue to heed all recommendations for hand washing, social distancing, and other public-health measures while fishing and during other outdoor activities, including maintaining at least six feet of distance between all individuals who are not family members.

COVID-19 CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS

The James Foundation announced it has closed Maramec Spring Park in St. James to the public for trout fishing and all other activities until further notice. Maramec Spring Park is owned and operated by the James Foundation. MDC manages the trout hatchery at Maramec Spring Park. For more information, visit maramecspringpark.com.

Missouri’s three other public trout parks remain open for day use and fishing: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. They are operated by Missouri State Parks under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). MDC manages the trout hatcheries at these locations.

To reduce possible increased social congregation, MDC will suspend daily trout stocking at all trout parks starting Friday and has suspended other fish stocking in waters around the state until further notice.

According to DNR, Missouri State Parks remain open. However, in reaction to COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution, Missouri State Parks will temporarily close all campgrounds and lodging effective Friday, March 27, through Thursday, April 30. This includes campgrounds, park-run lodging and concessionaire-run lodging. While they are not able to accommodate overnight guests, Missouri State Parks remain open to the public for day-use, including boat ramps and more than 1,100 miles of trails.

“We are taking these measures now to reduce the impact of COVID-19,” said Missouri State Parks Director Mike Sutherland. “The outdoors provide a great opportunity to relax and destress. Even outdoors, it is important to practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands often.”

MDC and DNR remind people to make outdoor activities as safe and enjoyable as possible by taking the following actions:

If you have been sick in the last two weeks, please stay home for your health and the safety of others.

Travel in a small group with a maximum of 10 people.

Avoid popular areas where people may congregate, such as scenic overlooks, buildings, playgrounds, etc.

Maintain at least a six-foot distance between you and others.

Pack water, soap and/or hand sanitizer.

Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on best practices for keeping you and your family safe at gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

MDC has closed its regional offices, Department headquarters in Jefferson City, and other public contact offices, nature centers, visitor centers, educational centers, and staffed shooting ranges to the public until April 15.

While MDC public offices will be closed to general visitation, offices will still be staffed. Visitors with official business will need to notify the office to gain access. Find MDC office contact information at mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts?county=All.

MDC has also cancelled its public events and programs around the state until April 15, including hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. MDC will reassess the situation at that point.

Conservation areas, nature center trails, unstaffed shooting ranges, and boat accesses remain open to the public. Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons continue as scheduled. MDC managed hunts and mentored spring turkey hunts continue as planned.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has been, and continues to be, in communication with the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, the Governor’s office, state and local health officials and organizations, as well as other high school associations in the Midwest.

The Association will continue to review the medical guidance of the CDC, and all breaking information regarding COVID-19 to make the best decision possible with the information available to us. “As of today, the CDC has recommended that for the next eight weeks organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executive Director. “Many of the host venues and facilities for our events are connected with colleges and universities that are closing their campuses. These issues directly and wholly affect MSHSAA districts and state series events.”

Below, are outlined information on remaining events this Spring in the order that the culminating event is scheduled to take place. Speech, Debate and Theatre: After much discussion and weighing of numerous options, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the remaining District Tournaments as well as the State Speech, Debate, and Theatre Championships.

Due to the loss of host sites as well as judges the two remaining District Tournaments could not be completed.

In addition, these events exceed the current recommendations regarding the size of gatherings. Combined with the uncertainty of the next two months and possibly beyond, this difficult and disappointing step had to be taken. 

Missouri - Immediate Press Release from Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executieve Director.

Due to continuing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the ShowMe Showdown for Class 4 and Class 5.

The decision was made in consultation with local and state officials, as well as the member schools.  The  most recent CDC recommendations of limiting gatherings played a large part in the making of this decision.

"We understand the unexpected hurdles this creates for our schools and fans, and apologize for the inconveniences it has caused.  Our thoughts are with our schools as they navigate the uncertainty of these times," said Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executive Director.

Information concerning the activities of Music, Speech, Debate & Theatre; Scholar Bowl as well as Spring Sports will be available later today.

GOOD MORNING, BLUE JAY NATION: While MSHSAA has limited the number of spectators allowed at the ShowMe Showdown, the show must go on.

Game 1 of the 2019-2020 Class 3 Boys Basketball State Tournament is set to take place tonight, Friday, March 13 at 6:20pm, Charleston vs Monroe City at JQH Arena.

Athletic Director Michael Minner says that fans who have been been notified about receiving a wristband for this evening's game will need to meet in front of the JQH Arena entrance between 5:45pm and 6:00pm. His team will have your wristbands, which will cost $9 each (please bring exact change).

Per the Missouri High School Activities Association, fan interaction at the Show-Me Showdown this weekend is limited to 150 fans per school, due to COVID-19.

MSHSAA Communications Director Jason West released a press release via Twitter stating, "With a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state and concern for the safety of all who will be working and attending the Show-Me Showdown, each school will be given 150 wristbands to distribute to its fans base. Only fans that have been given a wristband will be allowed in the arena. The distribution of the wristbands will be the responsibility of the school. Only essential school personnel will be allowed access to the arena as well. Any tickets previously purchased are now void. The MSHSAA Office will work with the participating schools on any reimbursements that need to be made."

West added in his press release that there would be no third-place games played, just the semifinals and championship games.

Lastly, West mentioned that working media members with approved credentials would have access to the games.