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ASHTABULA, ND – More than 20 kids participated in the annual Take A Kid Fishing Day at the Mel Rieman Recreation Area on Lake Ashtabula during National Fishing Week on Saturday, June 6.

There were 17 volunteers from 3 different agencies that helped run the event.  These agencies were the Corps of Engineers, Barnes County Wildlife Federation and the Valley City Women of Today.

Activities included a casting game which helped teach the kids proper casting techniques. Prizes were given to the most accurate casters in all 5 age groups. Dillon Thomas, co-op student ranger at the Baldhill Dam Project Office, set up the portable dam to educate the kids on the danger of the current below dams. Kids got to tie themselves a fishing spinner made from scratch, which they proudly kept to show their parents. The spinner station was held in the picnic shelter.  

The cooperated until 11:00am when a shower set in. Fifteen minutes later the rain passed and we continued with the event. The kids fished from the docks along the shoreline by the Baldhill Grill & Chill Resort and the Corps courtesy dock. The kids caught a few perch, many smallmouth bass, bullheads, and one pumpkinseed sunfish.

Lunch was provided with hotdogs, chips, pop, and ice cream bars enjoyed by all. The children received a rod/reel combo, fishing lures, and a take home bag containing different coloring books and water safety material provided by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers, ND Game & Fish Department and Berkley Tackle. Each kid also got to take home their own tackle box with various tackle included.