The Clay County Parks Department is partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation to host the Clay County Fish Clinic May 16 at Smithville Lake.

The clinic will run from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants should follow U.S. Highway 169 north to Missouri Route W, then head east to the second Route W bridge. The clinic will meet on the south side of Route W, just east of the bridge. The area is called Access Number 18.

The clinic will provide a comprehensive program to children 7 to 14 years old, said Clay County park ranger Caleb Jeffries. The program will teach the importance of fish identification, casting, knot tying, bait and tackle, regulations and good conservation practices related to fishing. The goal is to help youths learn about fishing and gain an appreciation for wildlife conservation, Mr. Jeffries added.

Space is limited for the free clinic and pre-registration is recommended no later than May 15. Registration will be available at the clinic, provided space is available. One parent or guardian must be present with their child during the clinic.

To register, contact Mr. Jeffries or park ranger Pat Iske at the Clay County Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites at (816) 407-3400; or by e-mail at cjeffries@claycogov.com or piske@claycogov.com.

River recovery plan

Mike George, manager for the Missouri River Recovery Program, will speak May 20 at the Klub restaurant, 1615 Nebraska St., in Mound City.

The recovery program is headed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and receives congressional funding. Its aim is to recover and protect fish and wildlife that have become endangered over the past 20 years.

Mr. George will narrate a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation. Those attending will learn about the importance of recovering and protecting endangered and threatened species and how the public can participate.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.