NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

October 5, 1999

CONTACT: Lt. John Burton (850) 265-3676 Robin Will (FWS) (850) 925-6121

KIDS FISHING DAY SET FOR ST. MARKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Staff at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have teamed together for the first Kids Fishing Day on the refuge near Newport.

On Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. they hope to provide fishing fun and excitement to as many as 200 kids age 12 and younger. The kids will be fishing in a special area set aside on the refuge and stocked with catfish provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service's Welaka National Fish Hatchery.

Lt. John Burton, a FWC law enforcement area supervisor said, in addition to refuge personnel, there will be both inland and marine enforcement officers helping, as well as fisheries biologists.

"We're supplying 80 poles for kids to use and the refuge is supplying bait. The kids need to bring rod-and-reels, if that's what they want to use, and other things such as bug spray, water and sunscreen," he said. "One thing that's not allowed as a safety factor are treble hooks."

Burton said anyone with a youngster who wants to fish should call the refuge at (850) 925-6121 and sign up for a one-hour time slot. In addition, a parent or guardian must stay with their child while they're fishing.