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Outdoor Skills Academy
Outdoor Skills Academy
Want to try something new in Michigan’s great outdoors and need some help getting started? Or maybe you just want to brush up on your skills and learn some tips and tricks from the pros? The Outdoor Skills Academy can help! We offer expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities, from hunting and fishing to hiking, birding and much more. Classes explore each topic in-depth, for a full day or more, with knowledgeable and skilled instructors leading the way. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for each class, with special recognition for Outdoor Skills Academy “graduates” who complete multiple classes.
Both beginners and those with more experience are welcome. Most of these in-depth classes are designed for adults, youth ages 16 and older, and children over 10 who are accompanied by an adult. Please see the age requirements for each class before signing up.
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- March 29 - March 30Mitchell State Park - March 29-30 Steelhead Fishing Clinic Learn various strategies for catching steelhead in a two-day class covering salmon ID, equipment, curing spawn, casting techniques, reading the water, rig setup and more. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- April 12Outdoor Adventure Center - Walleye Clinic Participants will learn about how to select their equipment and set up their poles, plus techniques for shore fishing and walleye fishing regulations. This clinic includes time fishing along the Detroit River. Location: Outdoor Adventure Center
- April 12Mitchell State Park - April 12, Beekeeping Clinic: A Beginner's Guide to Starting Your Hive Learn everything you need to know to get started with beekeeping and the vital role pollinators play in our environment. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- April 12 - April 13Mitchell State Park - April 12-13 Steelhead Fishing Clinic Learn various strategies for catching steelhead in a two-day class covering salmon ID, equipment, curing spawn, casting techniques, reading the water, rig setup and more. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- April 26Mitchell State Park - April 26, Beekeeping Clinic: A Beginner's Guide to Starting Your Hive Learn everything you need to know to get started with beekeeping and the vital role pollinators play in our environment. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- April 26Bay City State Park - April 26, Tobico Marsh Wild Mushroom Clinic Learn how to identify a variety of Michigan’s edible wild mushrooms, where to start looking and how to properly transport, clean, consume and preserve them. Location: Saginaw Bay Visitor Center
- May 03Mitchell State Park - May 3, Fly Fishing Seminar An introduction to the art of fly fishing with expert-led demonstrations and hands-on instruction. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- May 10Mitchell State Park - May 10, Wild Mushroom Clinic Dive into the world of Michigan’s seasonal edible wild mushrooms. Learn where to find them and discover the best practices for safely harvesting, cleaning and preparing these wild delights. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- June 07Mitchell State Park - June 7, Wild Mushroom Clinic Dive into the world of Michigan’s seasonal edible wild mushrooms. Learn where to find them and discover the best practices for safely harvesting, cleaning and preparing these wild delights. Location: Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center
- June 08Bay City State Park - Fishing 101 Clinic Dive into the basics of flat-water fishing! Learn about different kinds of gear, and practice on our lagoon pond. Location: Saginaw Bay Visitor Center