Kids Fishing Day at Pendills Creek Hatchery returns for 14th year

SAULT STE. MARIE — Young anglers of Chippewa County are ready to celebrate the summer with Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery this weekend at the annual Kids Fishing Day.

This year marks the 14th annual Kids Fishing Day hosted by the hatchery.

The event first started out as a way to give younger kids the opportunity to have their own fishing contest. The minimum age requirement for a fishing license is 17 in Michigan, but this event requires no fishing license to participate.

Organized by the Friends of Pendills Creek Hatchery, the event is open to any kid age 15 or younger.

"We really wanted to provide an opportunity to get kids outdoors and interested in different activities they might not have an opportunity to do and that might be able to give them a lifelong hobby," said Julie Weist, administrative officer at the Pendills Creek Hatchery. "This is where the Friends of Pendills Creek Hatchery came in to co-sponsor the event for us."

The event will include at least 400 stocked rainbow trout from the Jordan River National Fish Hatchery.

"They are gorgeous fish, and they're not too tough for youngsters and amateur fishers," said Weist. "If they're coming out for the first time they'll at least have chance to bring a nice fish home with them."

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In previous years, there were measuring contests to see who could catch the biggest or longest fish.

The event will also include booths and volunteers to help inexperienced fishermen. Kids can also receive advice on every aspect of fishing, including how to take them home to cook, since the kids will get to keep their catches.

Kids will also be served a free hot dog lunch at the event.

The event begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Pendills Creek Hatchery. Kids are expected to bring their own gear, but some equipment such as bait will be available. More information can be found on the Friends of Pendills Hatchery Facebook page.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: [email protected]

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Kids Fishing Day at Pendills Creek Hatchery returns for 14th year