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May 05, 2025
The Kids Fishing Day Team is thrilled to be celebrating the 32nd anniversary of its annual Kids Fishing Day this year.
The day of fun, fishing and families will be held Saturday, June 7, at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park, located on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.
Registration for Kids Fishing Day will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. (EDT) and the event will run until 3 p.m. All activities are free of charge and open to youth ages 16 years old and younger.
“We are excited to again hold our fishing event at the Pocket Park,” said Brenda Madden, longtime Kids Fishing Day team member and organizer. “It offers plenty of space for most all the traditional fun favorites at Kids Fishing Day events, plus some new activities, and the Pocket Park offers a beautiful natural-like setting right in the middle of Escanaba.”
Familiar activities returning include bluegill fishing, minnow races and face painting, along with free food and raffle prizes.
Greg Karch, certified angler instructor and founder of the non-profit organization Learn 2 Fish with Us, will be returning to the event this year to teach kids how to cast a fishing line and tie fishing knots.
Karch’s organization has educated more than 50,000 anglers in Wisconsin since 2006 and has hosted nearly 300 fishing workshops, including Kids Fishing Day at Camp 7 where he offered Backyard Bass for youngsters.
In addition, Smokey Bear will be wandering the grounds. There will also be a scavenger hunt and opportunities for kids to learn how to shoot at the Pocket Park’s archery and pellet gun ranges.
This year’s Kids Fishing Day event will be held in conjunction with the DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend. Camping is available on the fairgrounds (contact the Delta County Chamber of Commerce).
The DNR Pocket Park is located nearest Gate No. 1 at the fairgrounds, which can be accessed from 12th Avenue North.
Partners include the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, Inc., Michigan DNR and the U.S. Forest Service's Hiawatha National Forest.
The Kids Fishing Day team extends a special thank you to all the volunteers as this event would not be possible without them.
For more information, or if you would like to volunteer to help at the event, please contact Brenda at 906-286-1348.
An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, unless otherwise noted.
Kid: A successful young fisherman holds up his catch on Kids Fishing Day. (Kids Fishing Day team photo)
