Signups begin for kids fishing

Registration is now open for the 12th annual Fishing Kids day scheduled for June 9 at Gilchrist Pond on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Pre-registered youth ages 5-14 in Whitman County and surrounding areas are invited to the Gilchrist Pond from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Up to 300 kids are expected to attend the event, one of 12 offered in the state.

A nominal $10 registration fee provides each pre-registered child with their own Zebco rod and reel, bait, a Fishing Kids T-shirt and a 30 minute time slot to fish. The registration deadline will be June 1.

Flyers will be distributed to elementary schools in April and will be available in Colfax at the Whitman County 4H Office, Whitman County Parks and Developmental Services Office, Pullman Parks and Recreation Office and Tri-State in Moscow.

For questions and registration information, contact WSU Extension in Whitman County or Whitman County Parks and Developmental Services.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Go Play Outside Washington partner with WSU, Whitman County 4H, Whitman County Parks and several other local sponsors to expand sport fishing opportunities.

“We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for parents or grandparents to expose youth to the sport of fishing while learning about various aspects of the industry,” said Janet Schmidt, Whitman County Extension Educator. “Our goal is to get more kids fishing, more often, and to develop the future stewards of this resource.”

Additional sponsors of the “Fishing Kids” event are Union Creek Ranch, Almota Inn, Zebco, Eagle Claw, Tri-State, Inland Northwest Broadcasting, Pullman Parks and Recreation, Avista, Rosauer’s of Colfax, Motley and Motley, Pre-Mix, First Wind, Dissmore’s IGA, Kiwanis of Pullman, Walmart, Lions of Pullman and Frontier Communications.