NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 9, 2000

CONTACT: Bill Pouder (850) 265-3676

PANAMA CITY KIDS FISHING EVENT APRIL 29

If you have kids 15 years of age or younger and you want to introduce them to fishing, there'll be a kids fishing day in Panama City on April 29.

Sponsored by the Panama City Department of Leisure Services, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Oakland Terrace Men's Club, Half Hitch Tackle and Boating Adventures, the kids fishing event will be held at the pond by the Life Management Center on 15th Street (the old Gulf Drive-In). Some fishing rods will be available courtesy of a new loaner program through the Panama City Department of Leisure Services. All kids who wish to fish should be pre-registered with the Department of Leisure Services at (850) 872-3199 beginning April 19 at 8:30 a.m. Children will be allowed to fish from 8 - 9 a.m. or 11 - noon. A maximum of 150 participants can be accommodated for each time slot and each child will be allowed to keep three catfish.

FWC fisheries biologist Bill Pouder said 1,500 channel catfish will be stocked in the pond prior to the event. He said the best baits will be worms, chicken livers and dead shrimp.

As a safety precaution, a parent or guardian must be present at all times and be responsible for no more than two kids. Also, multiple hooks (treble hooks) will not be permitted.

The Life Management Center and pond is located on 15th Street between Highway 77 and U.S. 231 on the north side of the street (Map).