Classes

Aug 13, 2026

Let's Go Fishing!

Presented by Wild Rivers Conservancy at Veterans Memorial Park Spooner, WI

Have you ever wanted to learn how to fish? Or want your kids to learn but you don’t have the gear? Let Wild Rivers Conservancy bring the fishing to you! With help from the National Park Foundation, we’ll have everything your family needs to catch your first fish. Learn fishing basics such as equipment use, fish species identification, fishing regulations & ethics. You’ll even get to try out some Junior Ranger Angler activities! All you need to bring is a positive attitude, weather-appropriate clothing and a water bottle! This event is open to all families and first-time anglers. A valid Wisconsin fishing license is required for all participants 16 and older. For more information about how to obtain a Wisconsin fishing license, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/FishingLicenses Meet your instructor: October Yates is an avid outdoorsman throughout the midwest. He has been kayaking and fishing since his youth, and adventured up and down the coast from Washington to Alaska. He now resides in the St. Croix valley and has years of experience guiding people throughout his favorite places along the Riverway.

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Aug 19, 2026

Fly Fishing 101

Presented by Wild Rivers Conservancy at Osceola Landing Shafer, MN

Have you ever wanted to learn how to fly fish but don’t have gear? Are you beginning your fly fishing journey but can’t quite nail a perfect cast? Let Wild Rivers Conservancy and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway reveal the mysteries of fly fishing to you! By the end of this dry land course, you’ll have all the knowledge you’ll need to catch your first fish on the fly! Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, we will provide all the necessary equipment and teach you the basics such as knot tying, fly casting, wading safety, fish species identification, regulations & ethics. All you need to bring is a positive attitude, weather-appropriate clothing and water bottle! This course is recommended for 13 years old and older. Meet your instructor: October Yates is an avid outdoorsman throughout the midwest. He has been kayaking and fishing since his youth, and adventured up and down the coast from Washington to Alaska. He now resides in the St. Croix valley and has years of experience guiding people throughout his favorite places along the Riverway.

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Aug 20, 2026

Let's Go Fishing!

Presented by Wild Rivers Conservancy at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Lake Elmo, MN

Have you ever wanted to learn how to fish? Or want your kids to learn but you don’t have the gear? Let Wild Rivers Conservancy bring the fishing to you! With help from the National Park Foundation, we’ll have everything your family needs to catch your first fish. Learn fishing basics such as equipment use, fish species identification, fishing regulations & ethics. You’ll even get to try out some Junior Ranger Angler activities! All you need to bring is a positive attitude, weather-appropriate clothing and a water bottle! This event is open to all families and first-time anglers. No fishing license? No problem! Program participants will be allowed to fish at this event without a license for CATCH and RELEASE, due to an educational fishing license waiver with MN DNR. Vehicle Admission: A Washington County Parks System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles entering Lake Elmo Park Reserve. For more information please visit: https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/508/Permits-and-Passes Meet your instructor: October Yates is an avid outdoorsman throughout the midwest. He has been kayaking and fishing since his youth, and adventured up and down the coast from Washington to Alaska. He now resides in the St. Croix valley and has years of experience guiding people throughout his favorite places along the Riverway.

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