CASSVILLE -- The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources want to assure people that the Kids Fishing Day scheduled for May 20 at Roaring River State Park is still on.

Recent heavy rainfall led to several flood-related issues at Roaring River, but MDC and DNR officials say none of these will affect this month's Kids' Fishing Day, which will be from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.

At Kids' Fishing Day, an area of the park will be designated as a fishing area for youths age 15 and under. Children in that age range can pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office any time on May 19 or all day on the day of the event. Volunteers will be available to assist the young anglers. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to assist kids, too, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves. Free hotdogs, chips and soda will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Education is also part of Kids' Fishing Day. Throughout the day, seminars will be held on fish cleaning, fish cooking, Dutch oven cooking, taxidermy, watersheds, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, how to fish Roaring River, stream biology and other subjects. A hatchery tour will show how trout are raised. A program on Missouri snakes will be given using live specimens. If kids attend three classes, they will be entered into a drawing for prizes. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. Children must be present to win. Classes are also open to the whole family, but only children may enter the drawings.

Volunteers are needed to help out with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. If you would like to help out with Kids' Fishing Day or you want to get more information, call MDC's Roaring River Hatchery at 417-847-2430 or e-mail [email protected]