Free fishing day is near

Youth anglers have several opportunities to win fishing gear in Park County

Posted 5/24/22

Feisty trout have been stocked in the Powell pond at Homesteader Park and the gates will swing open at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 4.  

But if youth anglers want a chance to pull in a lunker and …

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Free fishing day is near

Youth anglers have several opportunities to win fishing gear in Park County

Posted

Feisty trout have been stocked in the Powell pond at Homesteader Park and the gates will swing open at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 4. 

But if youth anglers want a chance to pull in a lunker and win some amazing prizes, they have to get signed up.

Powell Rec Department supervisor Colby Stenerson said they’ll take reservations for the one-hour time slots up to the last day, but cautions parents to get their reservations early.

“Last year we filled up pretty quick. It’s best to get signed up sooner than later,” he said.

Parents can stop by the Powell Rec Department at Homesteader Park or call 307-754-5711 to make a reservation. There will be five one-hour time slots with a limit of 35 anglers per hour, Stenerson said.

Anglers 16 and under are eligible to fish and vie for some sweet prizes. The department has a huge treasure chest of tackle including 75 fishing poles, tackle boxes and fishing accessories thanks to one of this year’s sponsors, the Wyoming Outdoorsmen.

The only thing better than catching fat trout and winning prizes? Free fishing!

June 4 is free fishing day across Wyoming. Each year the Game and Fish Department dedicates the first Saturday of June as a free-for-all. Anyone with a pole and the will to enjoy a day on the water can fish the Cowboy State without a license. Powell’s facility will open to all anglers at noon and fish will be stocked as needed through the summer. “It gets a lot of use through the summer,” Stenerson said.

      

CODY DERBY

The East Yellowstone Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Cody Optimist Club are planning on a huge turnout at Beck Lake Park in Cody June 4. The Game and Fish and the U.S. Forest Service are also sponsoring the event.

Registration runs from 8-9 a.m. at the park’s maintenance building. The first 300 children from “babes in arms” to 14-year-olds will receive a free fishing pole, said Trout Unlimited representative Dave Sweet. All registered anglers will be automatically entered into a raffle for the grand prize; a two-person inflatable kayak with accessories.

There will also be a derby, offering special prizes for the largest fish per species. The park has stocked rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, tiger muskie, large-mouth bass, crappie, perch, channel cats and several non-game species. “There’s a little bit of everything in there,” said Sam Hochhalter, Cody Region fisheries supervisor.

Those fishing the Cody Reservoir who catch a tagged fish will receive a free lifetime conservation stamp. “We’ve been growing this event for years. We encourage all kids from across the Big Horn Basin to come fish with us,” Sweet said.

Fishing experts will be circulating through the crowd to help teach fishing skills and worms will be provided. “We’re trying to help build a lifetime hobby and skills for kids to get them outdoors,” Sweet said. “We think fishing can be a skill that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.”

The Beck Lake derby runs from 9 a.m. to noon. A free picnic lunch will be provided.

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