Kids Free Fishing Day at Montauk

By Editor | May 7, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
Olivia Walters, left, won the Besse the Bear Rod Holder this year, and Cohen Beattie received a custom fishing rod from the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association at this year’s Kids Free Fishing Day at Montauk. At center is Jerry Parrish, president of the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association.

Saturday was beautiful weather for the Kids Free Fishing Day at Montauk. The event is hosted by both the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, with the help of the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association, Montauk Rural Fire Department, and other volunteers.

Booths set up near the fish cleaning station registered children for the event and offered several giveaways including booklets on nature, free seedlings, fish bait, and doorprizes. Children could see several types of birds, or check out fish in an aquarium. An archery area was set up as well, and many tried their hands with a bow and arrows.

But fishing was the big draw. The stream banks were lined with children and their adult helpers, trying to catch a lunker, of course!

Montauk Rural Fire Department had a truck on site that children could see, and they roasted and gave away 500 hot dogs, with chips, a drink and a sweet treat.

After lunch, the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association gave away a Besse the Bear Rod Holder, built and donated by the Crawford family. Olivia Walters was the lucky one to have her name drawn for the bear. Cohen Beattie won second prize, a custom fishing rod. Jerry Parrish, president of the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association, and Greg Darlington, Treasurer, were on hand for the giveaways. Hatchery Manager Kyle Case ensured the names were well mixed before the drawing by Dominic Delia, of the Montauk Fire Department.