Hannah Stage-Harvey, assisted by Hiawatha Forest Ranger Joe Hart, fishes in the holding tank early in the Kids’ Fishing Day event. At right, volunteer Billy Kammers begins to help move the fish to the pond.

More than 200 kids and nearly 150 adults made their way to Castle Rock Ponds near St. Ignace Saturday, June 11, for the ninth annual Kids Fish Day, part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Summer Free Fishing Weekend, with all fishing license fees waived.

“This gave entire families an opportunity to enjoy a very important part of their heritage, and a chance to observe and handle a trout one-on-one,” said Louie Colegrove, president of the sponsoring St. Ignace Sportsmen’s Club.

Jerry Kahn of Cedarbrook Trout Farms unloads the fish the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club purchased for the Kids Fishing Day as club trustee Jimmie Miller and others look on. The 1,500-gallon portable holding tank not working out didn’t change that. Set up by the St. Ignace Fire Department and stocked with 200 rainbow trout purchased by the club, the tank was a hit at first with kids wanting a quick catch-and-release. The water inside was too warm, however, having been drawn from the ponds. When fish began floating at the top, the club quickly shifted gears and let the kids scoop the fish up with nets and release them into the pond.

Fishing families then scattered around the ponds, finding their favored spots to catch not just trout, but bullheads, sunfish, perch, and blue gills. They were quite successful, too, until the day ended a few minutes prematurely when a big storm rolled in just before 2 p.m.

In many cases, multiple families fished together. Cole Garen, 7, was part of a group pulling up bullhead after bullhead from one prime location. “I can come out and fish, and get to see all of my friends,” he said.

“It’s a good community thing,” said his mother, Nicole. “We’re getting to see everyone we haven’t seen all winter.”

Everyone tried to stay within earshot of the prize announcements and most within easy distance of the food. More than 100 donated prizes were awarded, said Mr. Colegrove, including 48 fishing poles, and 440 hot dogs were served.

The prizes came not just from the club, but also from the U.S. Forest Service. Rangers from the Hiawatha National Forest office in St. Ignace distributed packets with fishing lures and hooks. The St. Ignace Lions Club brought a large tent for the food service and prize holding areas. Others helping included the Michigan State University 4-H Youth Program, Tri-County Wildlife Unlimited, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Sportsmen’s Club trustee Jimmie Miller. “They’re here to learn as well as fish. And when they start catching fish, it’s easier to learn.”