Getting youth 'hooked' on fishing: Kids Fishing Day a success

The weather cooperated for the City of Eaton Parks and Recreation’s Kids Fishing Day event held at Crystal Lake on Saturday, April 20.

Originally scheduled for the previous Saturday, April 13, the event was postponed due to prior heavy rains and less-than-optimal water conditions postponing Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife’s stocking of the lake with rainbow trout.

The ODNR’s Division of Wildlife produces approximately 100,000 Catchable Rainbow Trout (CRT) each year. These trout, typically measuring 10-12 inches, are stocked in more than 70 lakes and ponds during late March through early May. Crystal Lake was able to be stocked on Friday, April 19, in preparation for Kids Fishing Day.

Over the course of the three-hour event, an estimated 200 people showed up and the youths were easily catching their five-fish limit, per Ohio fishing regulations, according to Eaton Service and Parks Coordinator Zac Wilson.

Kyler Rathert, Taylan Wilson and Sylas Noble each won a new fishing pole in the special Kids Fishing Day participant drawing. Poles were donated by Eaton Walmart and Eaton Public Maintenance team member Chris Harper.

Donuts, coffee and hot chocolate, and keepsake EPAR bobbers were provided thanks to the generosity of event sponsors Neaton Auto, Henny Penny, The Rumpke Charitable Donation Foundation, and Kierston’s Coffee Stop.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) manages several programs related to wildlife, conservation, and outdoor recreation. The Catchable Rainbow Trout Stocking Program is just one of them.

“The goal of this program is to provide high angler success by creating ‘Fish in a Barrel’ opportunities, ensuring that most stocked fish are caught and harvested,” according to ODNR. The program aims to maximize benefits by focusing on smaller lakes and ponds, and typically stocks the rainbow trout prior to fishing events like Kids Fishing Day.  

City of Eaton Parks and Recreation will next work in conjunction with Downtown Eaton Inc. on its annual Community Fun Fest on Saturday, June 15.  The next EPAR events will be Dive-In Movie Night at Main Steet Aquatic Center on Friday, June 28, followed by the 3^rd annual Fall Family Day, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, in Seven Mile Park.