Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife to Host 27th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament on June 8

As part of its activities for National Fishing Week, June 1-9, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its 27th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 8 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Town Park, Wyoming, and at the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park in Bear.

The tournament is open to youths ages 4 through 15. An adult must accompany youths under age 12 and contestants must bring their own fishing equipment. Catch and release will be taught and encouraged. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: 4 through 7, 8 through 11 and 12 through 15. The tournament is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. to register for the tournament.

The tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation.

“Since the tournament’s first year in ‘86, the event has grown tremendously and has exposed more than 200 youths each year to sport fishing,” said Carol Gondeck of the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Enforcement Section, which sponsors the tournament.

In addition to the fishing tournament celebrating National Fishing Week, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has designated June 8 and 9 as free fishing days when anyone may fish in Delaware waters without a fishing license. Anglers are reminded that even though they don’t need a license to fish on those two days, those who are age 16 and older are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number, available online at www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 1-800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware’s fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.

For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, please call 302-739-9913, or for information and an entry form, visit the Fish & Wildlife website at Youth Fishing Tournament registration.pdf

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) of the state of Delaware is the primary body concerned with the governance of public land, natural resources, and environmental regulations for the state. DNREC is composed of several Divisions that have correlates in other U.S. State governments:

• Division of Air and Waste Management
• Division of Fish and Wildlife
• Division of Parks and Recreation
• Division of Soil and Water Conservation
• Division of Water Resources

The Department is headed by an 'Office of the Secretary'.