Get Outside and Get Fishing during National Fishing & Boating Week

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 3, 2006) – 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.

Anglers line the banks of Simpkins Pond during Lake Wheeler's Fish for Fun event last June.

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.

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.

For additional information on freshwater fishing in North Carolina’s public waters, visit the Fishing section.

National Fishing & Boating Week Events in North Carolina

County

Location

Date

Time

Registration/Age Limits

Other Info

Contact Information

Alexander

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forsyth Salem Lake Park 6/10 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Call (336) 650-7677 for registration information and directions. The first 200 participants will be eligible for door prizes and cookout following the event. Ed McNeal
(336) 650-7677
(336) 416-2738 (cell)
(336) 727-2066 (fax)

Franklin

Lake Royale

6/10

8 a.m. – Noon

No age limit; Register onsite the day of the event.

Chris Schmit

(919) 522-9893

Graham

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

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

Lake Higgins Pond

6/10

9 a.m.Noon

Limited to first 40 participants.

George Thomason

(336) 545-5333

Guilford High Point City Park Lake 6/17 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call High Point City Lake Park, (336) 883-3498. This event is limited to the first 75 kids between 5 -15. Gary Gilliam
(336) 883-3498
Hertford





Hare's Millpond in Winton 6/10 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pre-register by calling (252) 332-2711; limited to the first 75 participants, 15 and younger. Lanny Cowan
(252) 332-2711

Iredell

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

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

Johnston
Howell Woods Environmental Center 6/03 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Registration on site the morning of the event. This event is for participants 15 and younger. Mike Cribbs
(919) 422-1925

Macon

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

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

Montgomery Cove Boat Ramp
6/03 9 a.m. - Noon Registration will begin at 8:30am. This fishing event is for kids 12 and younger, with an adult.

Leigh Marston

lmartson@fs.fed.us

(910) 576-6391

Nash

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

Nash Chappell Pond 6/08 9 a.m. - Noon Pre-register by calling the Nash County Cooperative Extension office, (252) 459-9810. Registration is limited to kids between the ages of 7 and 15 years old. There is a $15 registration fee.

Charlie Tyson

charlie_tyson@ncsu.edu

252-459-9810

Onslow
Equine Country 6/10 9 a.m. Sponsored by Onslow County
Parks and Recreation and Wal-Mart
Mike Campbell
mike.campbell@ncwildlife.org

Orange

Strayhorn Pond off I-40 near Hillsborough

6/03

9 a.m.Noon

No age limit; Register onsite the day of the event.

Wendell Rogers

(919) 918-7364

Pasquotank

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

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

Rowan
Salisbury Community Park 6/10 9 a.m. - Noon Register onsite before event at Miller Recreation Center, 1402 West Bank Street, Salisbury; for participants 5 to 16 years old. Demarias Rouse
(704) 638-5297

Richmond

McKinney Lake

6/10

8 a.m. – Noon

Register onsite the day of the event.

Rick Bradford

mckinneylake@etinternet.net

(910) 895-5330

Stanly

City Lake Park

6/03

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pre-register by calling (704) 984-9565.

Brian Hinson

bhinson@ci.albemarle.nc.us

Surry

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 


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