Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Free kids fishing event - need advice

Our small city has a nice park with about a 6 acre lake in it. Last year, during free fishing days, no one fished it. Our Mayor's wife and my wife would like to have a big event there to get kids out and let them experience fishing. There's the perception that many can't afford the fishing equipment and other costs. We're looking at trying to come up with basic fishing equipment, food, etc. to get them out and ensure they have fun. It will be an entirely volunteer and low budget project. Any advice?

Great idea. I'd reach out to a local sporting goods store and see if they are interested in sponsoring it with loaner gear - spincast outfits, nightcrawlers, and lots of #10 circle hooks which prevent gut hooks from young [and experienced] anglers.

Get a local boy scout unit to offer to prepare hot dogs and refreshments.

Call a radio station see if they are willing to make T-shirts.

Otherwise...you need around 20 spincast outfits, 100 small circle hooks, and 12 doz crawlers if it's a panfish lake.

Sorry wish I could spend more time and offer a more thoughtful reply...hope this provides some direction.

Local civic clubs , Chamber of Commerce , Corp Ext Service , State Wildlife Agency , hunting/fishing clubs . Many companies (power company for example have public outreach programs). Get local fishermen to come out and help and bring equipment.

Ranger, this is an incredible opportunity you've stumbled across. I'm a youth fishing instructor here in Nebraska and the experiences I've been blessed with have been nothing short of incredible. Where in Illinois are you? I'm going to make some calls and see if there's help out there for you. When is the event?

For the time being, great initial suggestions. I might also look into the small baitshop in the area that nobody, but "everybody" knows about. Every town's got them. Go in there, tell them what you're doing and they could potentially lead you to a gold mine of interested and enthusiastic people.

Get the blessing of the Game Warden. I am aware of one town who was going to do it. However, the powers that be said that everybody (letter of the law stuff) had to have a fishing license. That looked too much like a PITA entry fee. The whole idea was scrapped.

I forgot to post an update. Long story short, it was a great success with well over 100 kids registered and participating with their families, lots of donations, volunteers, and media coverage.

Here are some photos taken at the event...

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/32619713/1/Free%20Fishing?h=5f81eb

That is sheer awesomeness Ranger. Well done.

Another update... They did it again this year and had almost twice the turnout. Looks like it will be an annual thing.