NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
‘Take a Kid Fishing!’ dates announced by DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife
Aquatic Resource Education Center to host fishing program on Earth Day, April 20
DOVER (March 27, 2013) – Do you know a child or young teen who might enjoy learning about fishing and trying their hand as an angler at landing a fish? Through the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Take a Kid Fishing! program, you’ll have your choice of five upcoming dates when budding anglers age 6 through 15 and a parent/guardian are invited to come out and cast a line.
Take a Kid Fishing teaches young people fundamental fishing skills and conservation concepts. The program is sponsored by the Division of Fish and Wildlife through its Aquatic Resource Education Center near Smyrna. Delaware Nature Society and Delaware State Parks partner with the Division of Fish and Wildlife to provide host sites for the program. Along with the angling, these free-admission* fishing days also feature activity stations and prizes. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants may want to pack a picnic lunch.
Take a Kid Fishing will be held on the following upcoming dates:
10 a.m., Saturday, April 20 – Aquatic Resource Education Center in Smyrna, Directions
10 a.m., Saturday, April 27 – Lums Pond State Park*, Bear Directions
10 a.m., Saturday, May 18 – Abbotts Mill Nature Center, Milford, Directions to Abbotts Mill
10 a.m., Saturday, June 15 – Father's Day Fishing at Wilmington State Parks (Brandywine Park)*, Directions
10 a.m., Saturday, July 13 – Judge Morris Estate, White Clay Creek State Park,* Newark, Directions
* While participation in Take a Kid Fishing is free of charge, entrance fees are in effect at Delaware State Parks host sites: for each vehicle, the cost is $3 with Delaware tags and $6 with out-of-state tags. Free admission passes will be available at the gate for pre-registered Take a Kid Fishing participants.
To ensure enough supplies are on hand for these free programs, pre-registration is required. To pre-register to participate in Take a Kid Fishing!, or for more information about the program or about volunteering as an instructor, please call Tess Belcher at 302-735-8656 or email Theresa.Belcher@state.de.us. To pre-register online, click Take A Kid Fishing.
Grandparents, parents, or others age 16 and older who wish to fish with the participants on Take a Kid Fishing days must have a current Delaware fishing license and a FIN number. A resident annual Delaware recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts.
Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit http://www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.
To purchase a fishing license or stamps online, visit http://www.fw.delaware.gov/fisheries. Complete Delaware fishing information is available in the new 2013 Delaware Fishing Guide, available on the Fisheries website above or in printed form at license agents throughout the state.
The Take a Kid Fishing program is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is in conjunction with the national No Child Left Inside program.
** This came up in the clamming thread. ** - KC