Prizes for all! - Photo Credit: George Phinney, CFD 2014

First place pike! - Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Enjoying the catch. - Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Little fish still create smiles. - Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

On June 21st, 2014, Seney National Wildlife Refuge held the 25th Annual Children’s Fishing Day event. The event is dedicated to connecting children, their families, and the community with fishing, the outdoors, and the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Several activities and games were provided creating a learning environment, family and community bonding, and the importance of preserving habitats such as the refuge. The refuge provided fishing poles and lead-free gear at three different locations along the Fishing Loop Drive, allowing people without a fishing background a chance to participate. Several volunteers and staff worked together to make the activities, fishing, awards ceremony, raffle, and free dinner for the participants a success.

Children sixteen years old and younger were able to register for the fishing event, and they were divided into four age groups, each awarding certificates for the three largest pike and perch. In all, 48 children were registered for the event with 12 in age 0-5, 11 in age 6-9, 17 in age 10-13, and 8 in age 14-16. The largest perch of the day was caught by Gwen Brewster, age 0-5, at a length of 10 ½ inches long, while the largest pike caught was 30 ¾ inches, caught by Robert Chippewa, age 10-13.

Over 100 people attended the free fish dinner, which was followed by the raffle drawing every child was automatically entered in. Each child won a prize ensuring they would all walk away from the event with a fishing related prize. Raffle prizes included; 12 fishing poles, 2 tackle boxes with gear, 4 fishing gear essentials bags, 2 reels, 4 nets, three outdoor clothing items, three fishing hats, several toys, and grab bags loaded up with random fishing gear. A total of 25 organizations donated prizes, food, gift cards, or equipment to create the atmosphere that makes the event carry-on with popularity each year.

Children’s Fishing Day was advertised through a local radio station, through flyers posted in local businesses, flyers handed out at local schools to go home with children, through Facebook, and on the Seney National Wildlife Refuge webpage. It was thought that participation was down from the previous year due to a terrible mosquito season, and a similar event held in Marquette, MI 80 miles to the west.