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The closure of facilities and cancellation of public events by the Missouri Department of Conservation has been extended through April 30, but the department also announced Thursday some fishing regulations have been relaxed a little more.
What's closed continues to include MDC's regional offices, its department headquarters in Jefferson City, staffed shooting ranges, nature centers - including the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City - and visitor and educational centers.
Though closed to the public, offices are staffed, according to an MDC news release. MDC office contact information is available at mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts?county=All.
Conservation areas, nature center trails and boat accesses remain open.
Hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events and landowner workshops are among the programming that's been canceled, though hunting, fishing and trapping seasons continue as scheduled.
MDC also announced Thursday that Missouri residents and nonresidents will continue to not need a permit or daily trout tag through April 15, unless someone's fishing privileges have otherwise been suspended.
However, until further notice, trout anglers will not need a daily trout tag at the state's three open trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon; Montauk State Park near Licking; and Roaring River State Park near Cassville.
Trout anglers fishing in other parts of the state will need a fishing permit and trout permit after April 15. Trout anglers in the three parks will only need required fishing permits after April 15.
Unless exempt, other anglers will need a fishing permit after April 15.
"Seasons, methods and limits still apply and will be enforced," MDC's news release added.
More information is available at mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-temporarily-waive-fishing-permits-starting-friday.
MDC has suspended its trout stocking operations at all trout parks, as well as most other fish stocking, until further notice.
More information about the department's pandemic response, and outdoor health and safety tips, are available at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/mdc-covid-19-response.