Fishing from the dock at Wolf Creek Causeway, Crab Orchard NWR. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo) - Photo Credit: n/a

The cool water is as much fun as the fishing at Crab Orchard NWR. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo) - Photo Credit: n/a

Families enjoy and afternoon of fishing at Crab Orchard NWR. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo) - Photo Credit: n/a

The Williamson County Board of Education works with homeless children and their families all throughout the school year. They provide school supplies and tutoring sessions to help the kids succeed in school. As the end of the school year approached the School Board wanted to provide the children with a field trip that was both educational and fun. A phone call to Crab Orchard NWR secured a willing partner.

The staff and volunteers at the Refuge were happy to provide the families with a pond ecology program in the morning and a free fishing experience in the afternoon. Kids and their parents both delighted in catching tadpoles and crawfish and learning about the pond food chain. With rods, reels and tackle on loan from the IDNR Little Grassy Fish Hatchery and bait donated by a local shop, the kids were excited to try their hands at fishing. Age, inexperience and noise levels, likely contributed to a small catch, but big fun was had by all while fishing from the Refuge’s Wolf Creek Causeway.

Refuge staff and volunteers look forward to partnering with the board of education again next year for this fun and rewarding program.