Little Chickey Pond in Lakesite will once again be filled to the brim with fish and surrounded by children eagerly trying to catch them Saturday, May 28 during the second annual Fishing Rodeo from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The event, which is free to the public, will have numerous volunteers to assist and educate kids on how to tie and bait their own hooks, the specifics of casting and getting fish off the hook once they’re caught.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recently stocked the pond with 400 pounds of catfish to give every participant a good shot at landing their first big one, said Dan Maxwell, Lakesite’s code officer who is heading up organization of the event.
“It’s a way of teaching kids outdoor sports and good wildlife management,” he said of the rodeo.
The event will be complete with all the gear necessary to participate for any child who doesn’t bring their own, he added.
In addition to education and recreation, the fishing rodeo will feature door prizes and competitions for casting and largest fish, with medals being awarded for the best performers.
Any child who lands a fish will be able to keep their catch provided it meets state standards for minimum size, which varies depending on the type of fish. The state mandates that only catfish over 34 inches may be kept, for example. Maxwell said he and the volunteer staff will use the opportunity to educate participants on the benefits of catch-and-release.
The event is funded in part by a $1,000 community grant from the local Wal-Mart and $500 from the Lakesite City Commission.
“I can’t express how much community support we have with this,” said Maxwell. “It’s so important for these kids. We’re teaching them as much as we can and letting them try out this great outdoor sport.”
There were over 50 participants at the 2015 Fishing Rodeo, and organizers said they are aiming for even more this year.
Maxwell said he will be grilling hot dogs at the event. He recommends that people arrive early to get registered to fish at a decent time.