The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resource Division (WRD) and its partners invite parents to bring their children to a Kid’s Fishing Event (KFE) at the Buford Dam Lower Pool Park on the Chattahoochee River.  This special event will take place on September 22, National Hunting and Fishing Day, from 9 am – 2 pm and is a great way to introduce the fun of fishing to kids.  Buford Trout Hatchery will stock 3,000 rainbow trout in the river for the event, and the Optimist and Kiwanis Clubs will provide hot dogs and drinks to participants. 

This event is for children 15 and under. Participants are asked to bring their own fishing poles, as only a limited number of loaner poles will be available.  Sponsors will provide the bait but participants can bring their own bait or lures if desired. Parents must accompany children throughout the event and WRD recommends that everyone, especially young children, bring and wear life jackets. There will be some fishing demonstrations and volunteers available to assist participants with tasks such as baiting hooks and removing fish from hooks.

This event is part of a statewide celebration in honor of the 36th National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) Day.  On this day, WRD wants to remind everyone that conserving the state’s natural and wildlife resources is one of the most important responsibilities for this and future generations.  The conservation programs supported and financed by Georgia hunters and anglers have benefited hundreds of wildlife species, including deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles and songbirds.  For information about other NHF Day events taking place across the State, visit the WRD website at www.georgiawildlife.com .

Sponsors of the Buford Dam KFE event include WRD, Cumming Kiwanis Club, Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club, Sawnee Optimist Club, Tailwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Rainbow Ranch, Lake Lanier Guide Association, The National Wild Turkey Federation, The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, The Dam Store, Up The River Outfitters, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

For more information on this event, contact Bill Couch at the WRD Buford Trout Hatchery at 770-781-6888.  For directions to the Lower Pool Park, call 770-945-9531.  For more information on fishing opportunities in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .

Take Me Fishing™!  A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships.  So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.