Three hundred children registered for this year's Kids Free Fishing Day sponsored by Shiawassee NWR and its many partners. - FWS photo by Becky Goche

The Shiawassee NWR and its partners sponsored a Kids Free Fishing Day, June 9, for children ages 3-15.  Three hundred children registered for the fishing contest. 

Free bait was provided to the eager youngsters who caught hundreds of fish.  With each fish they caught they received a ticket for a drawing for prizes donated by Meijer Stores and Michigan Division Fishing Club of Midland.  Many kid-friendly refreshments were provided by the Sons of Italy.

Coordinator of the event, Park Ranger Becky Goche, said, "Our numbers were up slightly this year due in part to the beautiful weather and strong promotional efforts of The Saginaw News.  We had lots of support from our partners and other community organizations who helped make this event a success for our future anglers." 

Partners for this year's event included the Friends of Shiawassee NWR, City of Saginaw, The Saginaw News, Meijer Stores, the Sons of Italy, Michigan Division Fishing Club of Midland, 7-Eleven Stores, McDonald's, and Saginaw County Sheriff's Posse.  The Kids Free Fishing Day coincided with Michigan's free fishing weekend where anyone could fish without a license.

Thirty-one volunteers donated 121 hours the day of the event.