Get Outside and Get Fishing during National Fishing & Boating Week

[NCangler]

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 3) - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is encouraging families to get outside and get fishing by hosting free fishing clinics across the state from June 3-11, as part of National Fishing and Boating Week 2006.

Young anglers registered at any Commission-supported event during the week (see list below) are eligible to enter a statewide drawing for prizes, including rods, reels, spools of fishing line and tackle boxes, courtesy of Bass Pro Shops and the Wildlife Resources Commission. The grand prizes, donated by Tarboro Association of Saltwater Sportsman are three lifetime comprehensive fishing licenses, valued at $250 each.

Local sponsors for many events will provide prizes and gifts to registered participants as well.

More than 2,500 children are expected to participate in this year's events, many of whom will be first-time anglers.

"These fishing events will be great opportunities for new anglers to learn more about fishing since there will be volunteers on hand to teach them the basics," said Bob Curry, chief of the Commission's Division of Inland Fisheries. "We're also giving every participant a fish-for-fun grab bag that's filled with information that every young angler needs to know, such how to identify fish correctly and where to go fishing in North Carolina."

To enhance fishing opportunities for participants, the Commission will stock fish at many of these sites prior to the events, from trout in cold mountain waters to channel catfish and bluegill in Piedmont and Coastal Plain public waters.

"The Commission provides supplemental stocking of fish to give kids a better chance of reeling in the catch of their lives," Curry said. "The more positive their initial fishing trip is, the more likely they will make fishing a lifelong hobby."

The Wildlife Resources Commission will conduct the drawing for prizes at the end of June and will publish a list of winners on its Web site. Grand prize winners will be featured in the Commission's magazine, Wildlife in North Carolina.

Alexander County
Ellendale Community Center pond
6/03 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Pre-register by calling the Sporting Goods Dept. at the Taylorsville Wal-mart, (828) 632-4176. This event is for kids between the ages of 1 and 17.
Bobby Huffman (828) 632-4176

Alexander County
Bethlehem Wildlife Club at Lake Hickory
6/10 8 a.m. - Noon
Participants ages 16 and younger register onsite the day of the event; hot dog lunch at noon.
Gary Hall (828) 217-7556

Anson County
Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
6/03 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. for participants 16 years and younger.
Janet Watson janet.watson@fws.gov (704) 694-4424

Buncombe County
Lake Powhatan
6/03 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Registration will be onsite at 9 a.m. for participants 12 and younger. Lunch will be served following the event.
Lorie Stroup loriestroup@fs.fed.us (828) 877-3265

Burke County
McGallard Falls City Park
6/03 9 a.m. - Noon
Pre-register by calling recreational department, (828) 879-2132. Fish will be cooked onsite for youth & seniors.
Tim Roney troney@ci.valdese.nc.us (828) 879-2132

Cabarrus County
Bass Pro Shops
6/10 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Register onsite the day of the event; fun activities begin at 9 a.m.; Fishing instruction begins at 1 p.m.
Tim Bloodworth (704) 979-2200

Carteret County
Cedar Swamp Pond
6/03 8 a.m. - Noon
Registration will be onsite and is limited to participants ages 5 to 15.
Bob Kaylor rkaylor@fs.fed.us (252) 638-5628

Cherokee County
Cherokee Lake
6/02 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Mandatory pre-registeration by May 5th at Tusquitee Ranger District office (828) 837-5152. For special populations only.
Terry Dickey tdickey@fs.fed.us (828) 837-5152 ext. 120

Cherokee County
Cherokee Lake
6/03 8 a.m. -11 p.m.
Pre-registration at Murphy Ranger office for participants ages 12 and younger.
Terry Dickey tdickey@fs.fed.us (828) 837-5152 ext. 120

Cumberland County
John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center at Lake Rim
6/03 8 a.m. - Noon
No age limit; Register on site the day of the event.
Tom Rachels rachelsrt@earthlink.net (910) 865-2918

Cumberland County
John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center at Lake Rim
6/10 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Warm-water fly-fishing clinic. Pre-registration required by contacting Cumberland Parks and Recreation, (910) 424-6134. Event is limited to the first 35 people. (910) 868-5003

Franklin County
Lake Royale
6/10 8 a.m. - Noon
No age limit; Register onsite the day of the event.
Chris Schmit (919) 522-9893

Graham County
Santeetlah Creek - Rattler Ford Campground
6/03 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Pre-registration at U.S. Forest Service office is preferred. Registration will also be onsite for participants ages 5 to 12.
Gina Rodgers grodgers@fs.fed.us (828) 479-6431

Guilford County
Oak Hollow Lake
6/03 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Pre-registration required; Call Oak Hollow Marina (336) 883-3494; Limited to first 200 participants ages 15 and younger
Nancy Mason nancy.mason@highpointnc.gov (336) 883-3494

Guilford County
Lake Higgins Pond
6/10 9 a.m. - Noon
Limited to first 40 participants.
George Thomason (336) 545-5333

Guilford County
Lake Higgins Pond
6/15 9 a.m. - Noon
Limited to first 40 participants.
George Thomason (336) 545-5333

Guilford County
Lake Higgins Pond
6/16 9 a.m. - Noon
Limited to first 40 participants.
George Thomason (336) 545-5333

Iredell County
Bristol Road Park
6/03 9 a.m. - Noon
Pre-register at Statesville Rec Department, (704) 878-3429. Ages 16 years and younger.
David Stewart (704) 878-3560

Jackson County
Cullowhee Creek - WCU Campus
6/10 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Register by calling Jackson County Parks and Rec - (828) 293-3053. Limited to the first 30 participants ages 7-12.
Richard Conely (828) 321-5397

Macon County
Cliffside Lake
6/03 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Registration will be onsite for participants ages 15 and younger.
Sally Browning sbrowning@fs.fed.us (828) 524-6441

Madison County
Max Patch Pond
6/03 8 a.m. - Noon
Registration begins at 8 a.m. onsite the day of event; ages 12 and younger.
Matt Eldridge meldridge@fs.fed.us (828) 622-3202

Nash County
Rocky Mount City Lake
6/17 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Registration onsite at the start of the event.
Lois Watkins bridgingthegap@earthlink.net (252) 446-2134

Orange County
Strayhorn Pond off I-40 near Hillsborough
6/03 9:00 a.m. - Noon
No age limit; Register onsite the day of the event.
Wendell Rogers (919) 918-7364

Pasquotank County
Owens Pond Elizabeth City
6/03 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Ages 8-14; Register through the Elizabeth City Police Athletic League.
Jeremy McCargo jeremy.mccargo@earthlink.net

Pasquotank County
Charles Creek Park
6/06 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Ages 8-14; Must be members of (and will register through) the Elizabeth City Boys and Girls Club.
Jeremy McCargo jeremy.mccargo@earthlink.net

Richmond County
McKinney Lake
6/10 8 a.m. - Noon
Register onsite the day of the event.
Rick Bradford mckinneylake@etinternet.net (910) 895-5330

Stanly County
City Lake Park
6/03 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pre-register by calling (704) 984-9565.
Brain Hinson bhinson@ci.albemarle.nc.us

Surry County
Yadkin River section of Pilot Mtn. State Park
6/10 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pre-registration preferred by calling the park; ages 16 and younger.
Keith Martin (336) 325-2355

Transylvania County
Lake Imaging at Cedar Mtn.
6/10 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Pre-registration is required through the Pisgah Education Center, (828) 877-4423. Ages 6 - 14.
Lindsay Green
lindsay.green@ncwildlife.org (828) 852-6721

Wake County
Lake Wheeler
6/03 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ages 12 and younger; Pre-register or register onsite day of event. Lunch will be served after the event.
Chris Murray (919) 662-5704

Washington County
Pettigrew State Park
6/10 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Pre-registration required; contact (252) 797-4475. Event is limited to the first 12 participants 15 years old and younger.
Laura Manning (252) 797-4475

Yancey County
Carolina Hemlocks Campground Hwy. N.C 80 between Blue Ridge Parkway & Celo 6/03 8 a.m. - Noon
Registration by U.S. Forest Service on site for participants ages 14 years and younger.
Jerry Murphy jmurphy@fs.fed.us (828) 682-6146

National Fishing and Boating Week, coordinated each year in June by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), gives children and their families an opportunity to learn about protecting and conserving the state's aquatic resources while enjoying the thrill of fishing and boating. For more information on National Fishing and Boating Week, visit RBFF's Web site, http://www.nationalfishingandboatingweek.org.

For additional information on freshwater fishing in North Carolina's public waters, visit the Commission's Web site, www.ncwildlife.org.