Celebrate Fishing/Boating Week at a National Wildlife Refuge
05-16-2008
Introduce your youngster to fishing, or come fish together as a family at a national wildlife refuge during National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1-8. Most states waive fishing license requirements for one or two days during the week and America’s national wildlife refuges are great places to take advantage of this opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature.
More than 270 national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts offer a variety of fishing opportunities throughout the country. Information about fishing on national wildlife refuges is available on an easy-to-navigate Web site: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/FishingGuide/index.html
In addition, many national wildlife refuges around the country are holding special family fishing events during National Fishing and Boating Week. The following is a partial listing of just a few of the scheduled events:
Georgia
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Lakeland, hosts its Youth Fishing Derby and CastingKids Competition Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., for children 3-15. In addition to the CastingKids clinic and competition, youngsters can attend a knot tying demonstration; learn which knots are best for different test lines and how folks "grunt worms" for bait. Kids should bring a plain T-shirt, which will be decorated with free fish art, along with free fishing information and fun prizes. Refreshments will be available. For more information, contact the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 or go to www.fws.gov/okefenokee.
Indiana
“Take A Kid Fishing” at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour on June 7 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This event will feature special angling opportunities for youngsters in a pond normally closed to fishing. It will include fishing, casting and fish art contests, door prizes, fishing lessons, craft activities, and lots of fun. Contact Muscatatuck@fws.gov or Donna Stanley at 812-522-4352.
Kansas
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Stafford, holds its Kids' Fishing Day June 7 for children ages 14 and younger. The day starts at 9 a.m. with clinics on such topics as identifying fish, understanding the contents of a tackle box, boating safety, and knot tying. Fishing starts at approximately 10 a.m. Each child receives a certificate noting the size of their biggest fish caught. Lunch will be provided by the Friends of Quivira, and several door prizes will be announced. For more information, call 620-486-2393 or email quivira@fws.gov or the Friends of Quivira at Friendsofquivira@hotmail.com.
Maine
Some years, there are more than 300 participants at Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge’s annual Children's Fishing Derby. This year, the refuge in Limestone will be stocking the fishing pond with 300 brook trout in advance of the event on June 7. Registration is from 8-9 a.m., when the fishing begins. There will be prizes for all, as well as refreshments. For more information, call 207-328-4634
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge's 11th Annual Children's Fishing Derby will be held at Cobscook Bay State Park's Headquarters Pond in Baring, on June 14. Children 16 and under will find the pond has been well-stocked. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be provided as will prizes in various categories. Participants must accompanied by a parent and bring their own tackle and bait. The derby runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 207-454-7161.
Maryland
The 6th Youth Fishing Derby will be held at Hog Range at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youth 15 years old and younger will compete for prizes in three age groups for the biggest fish, most fish and most unusual fish. Kids can bring their own bait, lures and fishing poles or use those provided by the refuge. All registered youngsters receive a free hot dog, chips, soda and bag filled with fun things donated by sponsors, who also provided door prizes. Participants are invited to bring frogs for a frog jumping contest. Demonstrations and exhibits will abound. For more information contact Maggie Briggs at maggie_briggs@fws.gov or call 410-901-6124 or 410-228-2677.
Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, will hold their kids' fishing day on June 14. Fishing will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for youngsters 15 and under. The largest fish are weighed and measured, but refuge staff and volunteers enjoy taking photos of the kids and their catch, regardless of the size of the fish. Kids may fish in either Lake Reddington or Cash Lake, which has an accessible fishing pier as well as plenty of opportunities for shoreline fishing. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/events.html or call 301-497-5766.
Minnesota
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Youth Fishing Day will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The morning will be devoted to programs for some 200 kids from Minneapolis and St. Paul. After breakfast, the youngsters will be learn about fishing, bait and the like. After a lunch of hot dogs or fried walleye, open fishing will begin. The young anglers will fish for 90 minutes. Every member of the morning group will go home with a fishing rod, tackle, bait and pamphlets about fishing and the National Wildlife Refuge System. For information, call 952-854-5900.
New York
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Basom, holds its 17th Annual Youth Fishing Derby Saturday, June 7. The Derby is open to kids 17 and younger. Onsite registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and fishing is from 8 a.m. until noon. Free fishing related grab bags will be given to all registrants. Call 585-948-5445 for more information or visit http://iroquoisnwr.fws.gov.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
North Dakota
Children of all ages are invited to bring their parents and fish for fun at Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge, Dunn Center, on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A picnic lunch will be served,
[Back to Press Releases Main]
