GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Always wanted to take the kids fishing, but can’t find the time? The University of Florida IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation will host Family Fishing Day from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 18.
The free, monthly event will be held at 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville, Florida, 32653. Organizers will provide bait and tackle. Also, there will be a complimentary hot dog lunch.
“It’s a great opportunity to get families together on the side of the pond fishing together,” said Chuck Cichra, professor and fisheries UF/IFAS Extension specialist. “Also, it’s an opportunity to get kids outdoors away from computer games and TV sets, and introduce them to the sport of fishing.”
The event features a raffle for a chance to win stuffed tackle boxes. Proceeds support companion program Fishing for Success, a UF/IFAS program that shares the marvels of aquatic sciences with schoolchildren.
Some of the fishing days honor specific holidays, such as Easter and Mother’s Day. The event on March 18 will honor law enforcement professionals. Event officials plan to give small tackle boxes and tote bags to officers who attend.
UF/IFAS has held Family Fishing Days for many years. “We’ve had parents coming back that were here as kids,” Cichra said. “We’ve had as many as four generations of a family here.”
The March event is sponsored in part by Bass Pro Shops. Also, organizers rely on volunteer efforts by student groups from UF and Santa Fe College.
The event welcomes those who have never fished before; volunteers will help participants with baiting and casting. “You’ll see kids come with Barbie rods and reels and Superman rods and reels,” Cichra said. “It’s just something we feel we should be doing.”
A list of upcoming Family Fishing Days is available here.
By: Ellison Langford, 352-846-0100, elangford@ufl.edu
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