Two Young Anglers Win Lifetime Licenses

Last year, the pandemic cancelled many of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s annual ‘Fish for Fun’ events that celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week in June. But this year, we were back at it, continuing a tradition that uplifts and encourages our state’s youngest anglers.

More than 25 ‘Fish for Fun’ events were held across the state this year between May and June. At these events, children could enter to win fantastic fishing prizes, the grand prize being a Lifetime Sportsman License generously donated by Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston.

This year’s grand prize winner was Natalie Moon of Goldsboro. Natalie is 13-years-old and thoroughly enjoys fishing throughout North Carolina with her family and friends. She participated in a June 5^th event in Kinston – and even though she didn’t catch anything that day, she won BIG! Natalie can now fish and hunt in North Carolina for life. This includes inland and joint waters, big game and waterfowl hunting, and hunting and fishing on game lands. Even if she moves out of the state one day, she can come back at any time to fish and hunt.

This year’s first place winner of a Lifetime Comprehensive Inland Fishing License was Skyler Cadwallader.  Skyler, who is just 6-years-old, entered into the drawing while fishing with her family at a June 5^th event held in Jacksonville, where she caught three fish. Her dad, who also loves to fish, was excited to share the angling experience with Skylar and his two other daughters that day.

“Skyler’s favorite thing about fishing, and I think everyone’s favorite part, is catching the fish.  She gets so excited when that fish comes out the water and she gets to reel it in,” her dad said about his daughter’s love for fishing.

One thing is for sure, Skylar will certainly be reeling in a lot more fish with her new lifetime license, donated by North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited.

A special thank you to our friends at Neuse Sport Shop and Trout Unlimited. Your commitment to the gift of fishing year-after-year has cultivated a new generation of lifetime anglers.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s events. In the meantime, if you’d like to introduce someone to fishing, please use our website as a reference to find fishing access maps, seasons and limits, our Tackle Loaner Program and more!

Pictured below at the agency headquarters (L to R): Wildlife Commission former Chairman David Hoyle Jr., Skyler Cadwallader, Ned Jones of Trout Unlimited and Wildlife Commission Executive Director Cameron Ingram.

Pictured below at the Neuse Sports Shop (L to R): Neuse Sports Shop President, Russell Rhodes, Natalie Moon and Neuse Sports Shop Fishing Tackle Buyer, Spencer Hodges.