Family preparing to fish during the 4th Annual Detroit River Kids Fishing Festival. - Photo Credit: Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

A white bass caught in the Detroit River during the 4th Annual Detroit River Kids Fishing Festival. - Photo Credit: Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

Staff from the Alpena FWCO – Waterford Substation with the winner of the “largest fish” in the boys division. - Photo Credit: Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

The weather cleared up for the 4th Annual Detroit River Kids Fishing Festival held at Milliken State Park and Harbor along the Detroit RiverWalk. This year, the event was held on June 8th during Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend. Fish biologists from the Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office – Waterford Substation and staff from the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge were present to introduce children and adults in the Detroit Metropolitan Area to fishing and to promote aquatic stewardship. Over the past three years nearly 2,000 children have fished along the Detroit River during this event.

Children were taught “fishing basics” by instructors from the Michigan State Parks Explorers Program, staff from the United States Coast Guard was on hand to teach children about boating safety, and Michigan Sea Grant educated children about invasive species in the Great Lakes. This year a trophy was given out to the largest fish captured in both girl and boy divisions. While many fish were captured, a silver redhorse and koi took home the trophies.

The Detroit River Kids Fishing Festival gives the youth in the Detroit Metropolitan Area an opportunity to connect with the outdoors. The list of volunteers and supporters for the event grows each year and it’s not hard to understand why after seeing the joyful smile of a child catching a fish for the first time. The Detroit River is designated as an Area of Concern in the Great Lakes, but is undergoing a transformation before our eyes. Funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is restoring fish and wildlife habitat all along the Detroit River and the children attending the Detroit River Kids Fishing Festival are reaping the benefits.

This year the event was presented by PNC Bank and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy in support with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Rivertown Detroit Association, Concentra, Wayne County Parks, Sierra Club, IHOP, and Michigan State University Extension.