Here's a chance to get ready for your fishing adventures this summer. The annual Kids' Fishing Fair will be Saturday, May 18, at Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County.

This is a great place for kids under 15 and their families to learn the basics of fishing. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conservation volunteers will be on hand to provide all sorts of lessons on fishing. They'll range from learning how to bait a hook and tying flies to boating safety.

(For an explanation of casting, click here as conservation agent Dennis Cooke explains and demonstrates. This story was from YSL.com's May, 2001, edition.)

Other lessons available include target casting, rigging your pole and cleaning and filleting fish. You'll also get a chance to sample freshly fried fish.

For the kids 15 and under, the Missouri Department of Conservation has set aside three lakes just for their use that day. They are Lakes 1, 2 and 15, where kids can fish for free and can keep up to two fish they catch.

In addition, families will have access to Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7 and 14. These will be stocked that day with catfish to increase your chances of catching fish.

Conservation officials recommend kids and families bring their own fishing poles. However, there will be a few poles on hand at Busch on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be fishing bait for sale at the recreation area.

The May 18 event is a combination of the annual Kids' Fishing Fair and the Family Fishing Fair.

The event is open to the public and no reservations are needed.

To get to the Busch Conservation Area, take Highway 40 to Highway 94 in St. Charles County. Then, go west on 94 and turn north on Highway D to the Busch Area entrance on the right. You can get information and directions by calling (636) 441-4554.