More than 100 companies and organizations will fill the 100,000 square feet of exhibit space with the latest in rods, reels, electronics, kayaks, tackle and boats. Submitted Photo

As winter hangs on and open water still feels a few forecasts away, anglers across the region will soon have a chance to shake off the cabin fever — and maybe pick up a new skill or two. The Greater Niagara Outdoor Expo returns Feb. 19-22 to the Niagara Falls Convention Center in the city known worldwide for one of nature’s most incredible wonders, Niagara Falls.

Often referred to as “the teaching show,” the Expo has built a reputation on more than just rows of rods and enough tackle to make your garage feel underprepared. With more than 200 seminars taught by anglers, educators and industry professionals over four days, the focus here is less about what you buy and more about what you learn — though it’s entirely possible you’ll leave with both.

Seminars will be held throughout the Convention Center in multiple rooms, offering attendees the chance to sharpen their approach before the season begins. Sessions will explore everything from targeting walleye on Lake Erie and inland waters to chasing salmon and trout on Lake Ontario. Marine electronics, kayak fishing, fly fishing and fisheries management are also on the schedule, creating an environment that’s just as welcoming for seasoned anglers as it is for someone who still occasionally ties a knot that looks like it belongs in a macrame class.

For those who prefer to see techniques demonstrated rather than described, the Hawg Trough will host live teaching fishing sessions that bring methods and presentations into clear view. It’s a chance to watch the pros at work and think, “Ah, so that’s what I’ve been doing wrong all these years.”

All of the seminars are free with paid admission, which is $12 for a one-day pass or $25 for the full four-day event. Veterans, active military members, firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement officers receive a $5 discount on either pass, while children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is also free, a detail that tends to be almost as satisfying as a solid hookset.

Families may want to circle Sunday, Feb. 22, on the calendar, when a free kids fishing clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Designed for children 12 and under, the hands-on clinic invites young anglers and their parents or guardians to rotate through learning stations covering knot tying, casting, lure making, fish identification, proper fish handling, fishing regulations and where to fish throughout Western New York. Participation is limited to 60 children.

Beyond the seminars, more than 100 companies and organizations will fill over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space with full displays of the latest gear, technology and outdoor resources. Visitors can spend the day moving between seminar rooms and exhibit halls, trading fish stories, learning new tactics and quietly convincing themselves they absolutely needed that one more piece of equipment.

Hosting the Expo in Niagara Falls adds a fitting backdrop to the experience. Attendees can spend the day learning new techniques and conservation practices indoors before stepping outside to witness one of the world’s most powerful waterways in motion — a reminder of why the pursuit of fish often comes with a lifelong commitment to learning.

For four days this February, Niagara Falls becomes more than a sightseeing destination. It becomes a place where the region’s outdoor community gathers to share knowledge, build connections and prepare for the seasons ahead — one seminar at a time. For more information about the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, including schedules and online ticket purchases, visit https://www.niagarafishingexpo.com.

Gotta Love the Outdoors.

Outdoors Calendar

Feb. 19: Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.