Free Oklahoma Family Fishing Clinics Slated Throughout Summer
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.
multiple evenings each week at the Jenks Casting Pond and at the Arcadia Conservation Education Area Kids Pond near Edmond. Several additional clinics are held throughout summer at other metro area locations.
The clinic provides an opportunity for family’s to come learn about fishing in Oklahoma.
No cost is involved to attend the clinic, and participants are exempt from an Oklahoma Fishing License while participating in the clinic. Attendee’s need not even worry about bring rod, reel, tackle or bait since everything is provided.
“The nice thing about these clinics is that individuals can experience fishing at virtually no cost, without investing in something they may end up not having a long term interest in,” says Daniel Griffith, Aquatic Resources Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
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 the Free Family Fishing Clinic since space is limited.
The Aquatic Resources Education Program (AREP) is one of the Department’s means to promote the sport of fishing and aquatic resource awareness. It gives 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 couple hours to attend a fishing clinic and come out with 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. 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.
The Department’s fishing curriculum is also taught in classrooms across the state through the Fishing in the Schools Program by teachers that have been trained to implement the program.
“We understand that not everyone is going to walk away from these clinics an experienced angler,” Griffith said. “But we hope they leave with a positive experience and enough knowledge to venture off in the sport of fishing on their own.”
For more information about the Aquatic Resources Education or Fishing in the Schools programs, contact Daniel Griffith at (405) 396-2223.
