Fort Leonard Wood’s Training Area 228 pond is the place to be for young anglers who want to hook a catfish

Fort Leonard Wood’s Training Area 228 pond is the place to be for young anglers who want to hook a catfish. The Kid’s Catfish Derby, hosted by the Directorate of Public Works Natural Resources Branch, is open to youth anglers ages 15 and younger. Registration starts at 8:30 Saturday morning. Youth can cast their hooks in the water from 9 a.m. to noon. Last year, 130 children participated in the event. Anglers are asked to bring their own gear, “but limited loaner equipment will be available.”
The pond is stocked with 400 Channel Catfish; some might have grown to 5 to 8 pounds. The catfish are tagged and youngsters who catch a tagged one will win a prize. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, common bait for Channel Catfish includes ribbed, rubber worms, or night crawlers, chicken liver, grasshoppers, crayfish, or small fish rigged on a straight, treble, or circle hook. The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Adventure Center is preparing to provide free hotdogs and drinks. Saturday and Sunday also are Free Fishing Days in the state. Missouri Department of Conservation officials say people may fish in the state these two days without buying a fishing permit, a trout permit, or a trout park daily tag. There may be limits in place, such as fish size, daily limit, et cetera. Missouri holds Free Fishing Days every year on the weekend after the first Monday in June.