Fishing has long been a popular outdoor activity, but many people, especially children, have limited fishing opportunities. It is the goal of our program to introduce rodeo participants to fishing and recruit them to be responsible, licensed anglers and good stewards of our aquatic environment.

Crowd around a pond at a Youth Fishing Rodeo event
Parent and child pose with catfish at Fishing Rodeo
NMFH Fishing Rodeo
Boy holds catfish at a Youth Fishing Rodeo event

About the Youth Fishing Rodeo

MDWFP invites anglers 15 and younger to these youth fishing rodeos across the state. These events are free and provide the opportunity for young anglers to fish in a lake that is well-stocked with catfish! 

Events feature educational activities focusing on fish, fishing, and environmental concerns. These quality fishing experiences are provided in a controlled, safe environment. Our rodeo ponds are well stocked with channel catfish to meet our participants' expectations of catching fish. Fishing educational and technical information are provided by our Fisheries Technical staff, biologists from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and volunteer anglers. Boating safety information is provided by our Law Enforcement Bureau.

Registration

We schedule rodeos in all areas of the state. The events are held on Saturday mornings, and registration usually begins between 7:00 - 9:00am.

2025 Rodeo Schedule

DateRodeo location CityTime
3/1/2025Roosevelt State ParkMorton10 a.m.
3/8/2025Harrison County Sports PlexGulfport8 a.m.
3/29/2025Hansel King SportsplexBrookhaven8 a.m.
3/29/2025TurcotteCanton8 a.m.
4/5/2025Leroy Percy State ParkHollandale9 a.m.
4/5/2025Veterans ParkTupelo8 a.m.
4/12/2025Choctaw LakeAckerman7:30 a.m.
4/12/2025Diamondhead Twin LakesDiamondhead9 a.m.
4/12/2025Clear Springs Recreation AreaMeadville7 a.m.
4/19/2025Willow LakeWalnut Grove8 a.m.
4/26/2025McAlpine LakeAmory9 a.m.
4/26/2025SardisSardis7 a.m.
4/26/2025Northside ParkPhiladelphia8:30 a.m.
5/3/2025Lee's Summit ParkHernando9 a.m.
5/3/2025Legion State ParkLouisville8 a.m.
5/3/2025DeSoto National ForestPerkinston7 a.m.
5/10/2025Trace State ParkBelden9 a.m.
5/10/2025George Harrison Park Olive Branch8 a.m.
5/10/2025Lake Lamar BruceSaltillo7 a.m.
5/17/2025McMillan ParkCarthage7:30 a.m.
5/17/2025Bob Tyler Fish HatcheryEnid7 a.m.
5/17/2025Pascagoula River WMA - Land Between the Creeks UnitVancleave8 a.m.
5/24/2025LeFleurs State ParkJackson8 a.m.
5/24/2025Lake HazleHazlehurst9 a.m.
6/14/2025Grenada LakeGrenada7 a.m.
6/14/2025Puskus LakeOxford7 a.m.
6/14/2025Jackson ZooJackson7 a.m.
6/21/2025Lake LowndesColumbus7 a.m.
6/21/2025Jefferson PondFayette8 a.m.
6/28/2025Florewood Plantation ParkGreenwood7 a.m.
7/12/2025Bear Pen ParkCleveland9 a.m.
9/20/2025Clarkco State ParkQuitman8 a.m.
9/20/2025Mound BayouMound Bayou8 a.m.
9/27/2025Bright ParkPearl9 a.m.
10/4/2025Woodville City ParkWoodville8:30 a.m.
10/25/2025Paul B Johnson State ParkHattiesburg9  a.m.

Additional Resources

Contact Information

For more information about local rodeos or the program, contact Sherry Hazelwood or Ryan Jones at (601) 432-2208, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Fishing Rodeo Coordinator