Family Fishing Day will offer free, hands-on fishing for Ashland County youth

If there’s one thing this past year has taught us, it’s to slow down and appreciate the outdoors. From quarantines and shelter-in-place orders last spring to this winter’s heavy snow storms, Ashland County residents are itching to get outdoors and experience something new.

That’s why Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the Ashland County Park District and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to offer a free, hands-on Family Fishing Day to Ashland County youth on May 8. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Byers Woods, at 675 County Road 1754, Ashland.

“Ashland County is so fortunate to have a wealth of water resources in our county, from lakes and ponds to our extensive river system,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD administrator. “One of our goals is to foster and appreciation of those resources and the importance of carding for those resources in our young people, and we believe this Family Fishing Day is a great opportunity to get young people outdoors, enjoying nature and building new skills and maybe even a life-long hobby.”

Fishing enthusiast Art Holden will be on-hand at the event to give talks and instruction to beginning fishermen at 10 a.m. and noon, and each youth angler that participates will be entered into a drawing to win one of 20 fish and tackle bundles.

The Family Fishing Day event is made possible through a Step Outside grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in addition to Ashland SWCD and Ashland County Park District.

Pre-registration for the event is not required but is suggested, with free gifts being provided to those who pre-register. To pre-register, contact Becca Vales, Ashland SWCD urban and education specialist, at 419-281-7645. 

For questions regarding crop modeling or Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District, call White at the Ashland SWCD office at 419-281-7645.