Kids Fishing Derby
June 5 at Middleton-Mills Park
"Take me fishing!"
Kenton County Parks & Recreation will present the Kids Fishing Derby for kids of all ages on Saturday, June 5 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Middleton-Mills Park. It's free!
You've seen the TV ads. Taking a youngster fishing can be one of the most rewarding experiences an adult can have with a child. Sitting at the water's edge with your son or daughter, fishing lines extending peacefully into the rippling waters, just you and your child…does it make a difference? You bet! Water works wonders!
"Don't worry if you have never fished before," says Steve Trauger, Kenton County Parks & Recreation Programs Coordinator. "We will have everything for you and your child to enjoy a great day of fishing ~ spincast rods and reels, hooks, bobbers, and bait." You won't even need a fishing license because it's "Fish Free in Kentucky" weekend!
If you want to bring something, pack an extra helping of patience! Oh, and bring a camera to record the memories you will be making! The pictures you take will likely become priceless.
During the event, the Northern Kentucky Youth Association will have picnic concessions available for purchase. Please support NKYA by purchasing your picnic lunches on site!
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources named the Shelterhouse Pond at Middleton-Mills Park one of just five lakes in the state to be designated in their FINs Program (Fins In Neighborhood), which means that we are stocking now five times each year: Rainbow Trout in April and October, and Channel Catfish and Hybrid Bluegill in April, May, and June. In 2010, we expect to enroll the Long Pond at MM Park in that program, as well.
Although at all other times, you can keep your catch, KCP&R will be introducing kids to good conservation habits and sportsmanship by practicing ´catch and release' during the event.
"Catch and release, or carefully returning caught fish to the water instead of keeping the fish to eat, is important," says Trauger, "so that the next time you go fishing at your favorite fishin' hole, you can expect to catch a fish."
PetsMart in Florence has kindly provided an aquarium so that examples of each species caught may be observed "up close and personal" before being released. Latonia Bait & Tackle has provided the bait and Dick's Sporting Goods, Shakespeare Fishing, and Cabela's have provided prizes for the ´Big Fish of Each Species' Contest!
A resource table of fishing-related materials, including items provided by Kentucky's Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, will be available, too.
"Even if you don't have a kid to bring," says Trauger, "mark June 5 on your calendar. We will surely need partners to pair up with youngsters. Come on out to Middleton-Mills Park, share your experience, and help teach kids the fun of fishing."
It all happens at Middleton-Mills Park, located at 3415 Mills Rd., Covington, KY 41015. Directions are easy! From I-275, take Exit 79 (Covington-Taylor Mill) and go seven miles south on KY Hwy. 16 to Mills Road. Turn left on Mills and go about one mile to the park. The party will be at Shelterhouse 2 ~ just follow the signs!
Water works wonders! Start a family tradition on Saturday, June 5. And then stick around for the Kick-Off To Summer Party, starting at 5:00 pm at Shelterhouse 2! NKYA will be handling the grill food and concessions for that, too!
For news of upcoming programs, activities, and events to be held in Kenton County's parks, call the Parks & Recreation office at (859) 525-PLAY (7529). Ask about signing up for a once-a-week e-mail update of What's Happening in Kenton County's parks.
