Free Family Fishing Clinics Slated Throughout the Summer in Oklahoma
OutdoorHub 05.30.12
Metro area families can learn to fish this summer at free clinics hosted every week throughout June and July in both Oklahoma City and Jenks.
The clinics are hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation as part of its Aquatic Resource Education Program. Clinics are held from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. nightly Monday through Thursday at the Jenks Casting Pond and on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Arcadia Conservation Education Area Kids Pond near Edmond.
“The clinics are a great, free way to get a youngster interested in and educated in the sport of fishing,” said Micah Holmes, information supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
A full listing of dates for the clinics is listed on the Wildlife Department’s website at wildlifedepartment.com. Pre-registration is required to attend an AREP class and can be done by calling the contact number listed with each clinic.
The Aquatic Resources Education Program (AREP) is the Department’s means to promote the sport of fishing and aquatic resource awareness as well as a way to give youth, regardless of family situation, an opportunity to learn how to fish and to gain an understanding of Oklahoma’s aquatic environments. Through the program, kids and adults can take just a few hours to attend a fishing clinic and come out with a knowledge of such topics as fish identification, knot-tying, fish cleaning and cooking, fishing tackle selection, equipment use, water safety, outdoor ethics and more. Most clinics, including those held at the Wildlife Department’s Arcadia Conservation Education Area in Edmond and at the Zebco Casting Pond in Jenks, include hands-on fishing opportunities at stocked ponds.
“We’ll teach you everything you need to know to get off to the right start so you can start fishing all over Oklahoma,” Holmes said. “Plus, you’ll even get to go fishing during the clinics. All equipment and assistance is provided, and no fishing license is required for the clinics.”
Developed in 1988, the program’s objectives are to increase the understanding, appreciation, and awareness of Oklahoma’s aquatic resources; facilitate the learning of angling skills, outdoor ethics, and sport fishing opportunities in the state; enhance urban fishing opportunities; develop adult fishing clinics and provide information on specialized fishing techniques.
For more information about the Aquatic Resources Education Program, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
