Some fine fishing: Kids can cast for free trout at Lake Antoine Park
IRON MOUNTAIN — Local youngsters can catch some fun Saturday at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain.
The Free Family Fishing Fun event will begin at 11 a.m. at Pavilion 2.
Lake Antoine Park Partners invites children through age 12 to come practice their fishing skills.
Breitung Township Fire Department has again volunteered to fill the 1,500-gallon mobile pond.
Watersmeet Trout Hatchery then will stock the large pool with about 150 rainbow trout.
“The trout will measure at least 10 inches but more likely 12 to 14 inches,” LAPP Project Chair Doni-Mae B. Rauch said. “Young anglers are able to bag it up to take it home.”
Rainbow trout now sell for about 90 cents an inch in the stores, averaging about $10 a fish, Rauch added.
“Families will be able to enjoy a nice fresh dinner afterwards,” she said.
Fishing poles will be set up with bait for the kids to drop right into the pool.
“They are all ready for the hungry fish to jump on,” Rauch said. “All they have to do is reel it up.”
Young participants will receive a ticket for their turn at the pond, with no more than 10 lines in at once.
Once the whistle blows, kids will have three minutes to fish.
“If they do not hook one at that time — which is unlikely — they can wait until the next three-minute round until they secure a fish,” Rauch said.
Successful anglers are then welcome to get a new ticket for another session.
“This gives everybody a chance to fish,” she said.
The LAPP noted the event will conclude when all the fish are caught. An estimated 40 to 50 trout will be taken an hour.
No fishing license is needed for the children to take part in the free event.
Last year’s event drew 83 participants.
Members of the Lake Antoine Park Partners enjoyed watching the fish being caught by youngsters last year that, with the help of Northern RV Center’s sponsorship, they decided to do Free Family Fishing Fun for the second year, Rauch said.
“Northern RV is about community involvement and want residents to experience the many recreational facilities in this great area we live in,” said Eli Ward, president and general manager of Northern RV Center in Quinnesec.
“We try to encourage families to enjoy outdoor activities and fishing is one of them,” he added.
The event is a way to provide kids with no experience and/or no means to participate a chance to try the sport, Rauch noted.
“This is another reason we wanted to host the event again this year,” she said. “We appreciate Eli (Ward) and Northern RV for their help so they can get that opportunity again this year.”
Northern RV will also have a camper available for tours at the park.
“We encourage everyone to take their kids, as there will be plenty of fish, and enjoy the day,” Ward said.
The LAPP hopes for a great turnout Saturday, as they look to continue hosting the event annually.