Catfishing Gear Library
2025 Reflection
A year of making memories together at the Missouri River
2025 was our first full year of program offerings through our Catfishing Gear Library and it was one for the books! We saw these programs grow in so many ways - but we also saw them become doorways for building a personal relationship with the Missouri River. Catfishing participants came back again and again to check out gear on their own time, or even to join in on a Missouri River Relief river cleanup!
One thing we love about fishing is that it's a beloved and accessible way for people from all walks of life to spend time outside. People of all ages, abilities, and cultural identities joined in on the fishing fun. All in all, there were 546 people who went catfishing on the Missouri River with us this year. Wow! We're so excited to continue offering this free program to increase access to the benefits of fishing for all.
To learn more about everything the Catfishing Gear Library has to offer, visit the Catfishing Gear Library webpage.
Gear Checkouts
This year saw 77 people borrow gear from our catfishing gear shed and embark on their own Missouri River fishing adventure. Everyone from families, individuals looking to upgrade their gear, and college students who left their gear at home were able to enjoy a weekend with free, quality gear designed especially for big river catfishing.
Catfishing Lessons
Throughout the year, we hosted eight catfishing lessons at Cooper's Landing Riverside Resort & Marina in Columbia, MO and one at Noren Access in Jefferson City. Our expert catfishing instructors created a welcoming environment for anglers of all abilities to come and learn the basics of fishing along the banks of the Missouri River.
For many, it was their first time fishing. For some, they'd always just been curious about the mysteries of the Missouri River. While nothing beats the excitement of catching that big fish, we think the real magic happens in the quiet moments of waiting - where you may see an eagle swoop down from a cottonwood tree or catch a cool river breeze.
A Big Muddy thank you to our incredible catfishing team: Matt "Mud" Britt, David Hull, Devin Crocker, Joseph Deiner, and Hai Lin who all played an invaluable role in the success of the Catfishing Gear Library program in 2025.
"I'm a person that has physical disabilities and Devin did an excellent job assuring my safety without taking away my dignity. He was an excellent instructor, helped me be hands on and very encouraging! Really appreciated his expertise and enthusiasm.”
- Catfishing Lesson Participant
Special Programs
The Catfishing Gear Library has also allowed us to offer fishing as an activity during some of our other river programs. 45 summer campers got to spend a day fishing alongside professional catfish anglers at our Missouri River Adventure Camp. Members of the Job Point YouthBuild program reeled in fish with new friends from across the state during our Stewardship on the Missouri River program. Veterans participating in a substance abuse treatment program spent their afternoon soaking in the peace and quiet of a Missouri River sandbar while waiting for the catfish to bite. Families from the University of Missouri Asian Affairs programs spent an evening enjoying river fishing during their Lunar Harvest Festival at Cooper's Landing.
Here are some of the things veterans had to say about their day of fishing on the Missouri River:
"Being able to fish, regardless of my injury, was the best part. I was successful!"
"I showed up a little anxious, a little down, and left energetic and feeling good."
"It made me more at peace with myself and content."
"It helped everyone feel connected to each other and to nature."
Meet Our Sponsors & Partners
The Catfishing Gear Library is largely funded by a Junior Ranger Angler grant from the National Park Foundation. Thank you to the Veterans United Foundation for supporting our fishing programs with veterans. We are able to offer free fishing permits for participants thanks to grant from the Missouri Environmental Education Association. A special thank you to Cooper's Landing Riverside Resort & Marina for hosting many of these programs, and our friends at Tombstone Tackle in Columbia, MO for the invaluable gear guidance and support. Thank you!
