DNR sponsors fishing derby for kids

Despite heavy rains, Lake Monroe hosted its annual Kids Fishing Derby from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Paynetown State Recreation Area.

The Kids Fishing Derby, one of many Free Fishing Weekend events, took place June 1. This past weekend was the last opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a license for the year.

“This statewide promotion was created in order to encourage people to try fishing for the first time,” said Jill Vance, naturalist for Lake Monroe and State Parks & Reservoirs.

Kids age 16 and younger were invited to participate in the derby to help kick-start the last of three free fishing event, coordinated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to promote the sport of fishing.

Participants were welcome to bring their own fishing equipment, but DNR provided fishing equipment and bait for all 17 kids who participated.

“We have a mixture of kids with experience who have brought their own fishing poles and are showing off their skills and we also have beginners who are learning the basics of fishing so that they can continue to fish the rest of the summer,” Vance said.

Instructors from both the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs and the Division of Fish and Wildlife were on hand to teach the basics of fishing such as how to put a hook on the line, how to put bait on the hook, how to cast, reel in the line, take fish off the hooks and other basic skills.

“We want to get kids involved, but more so their parents since the kids rely on them to participate in fishing,” said David Kittaka, fisheries biologist for the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “The more we teach the parents, the more they can teach the kids.”

Instructors were also there to offer assistance for those newcomers so that they could measure each fish that they caught from Lake Monroe by placing it on a makeshift measuring board.

One newcomer was 9-year-old Emma Witzke. Her birthday was the day before the event, and she said she wanted to go fishing for her birthday.

“I’ve caught four fish today and the biggest was seven-and-one-fourth inches,” said Witzke who was fishing with her dad.

A drawing for two new fishing poles was held at 10 a.m. for all participants.

The winners were Alana Winzeler, who received a brand new maroon fishing pole, and Witzke, who won a yellow and red Pixar “Cars” fishing pole.

“By kids getting involved, their parents can realize how much fun they are having and how cheap this outdoor activity can be,” said Kittaka.

Paynetown’s activity center will continue to provide kids with free fishing equipment all summer long during their hours of operation.

“We hope events like these will get kids outdoors,” said Vance. “Hopefully, this event will keep them involved in outdoor activities such as fishing,” said Vance.