Oneida Free Fishing Day June 11

Oneida, TN (2010-06-06) The Town of Oneida will host its 16^th annual Free Fishing Day at the Oneida City Park on Saturday, June 11, 2011. The event will be held in conjunction with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

On Saturday, as many as 200 kids are expected to wet a hook during the annual Free Fishing Day at the Oneida City Park, an annual event by the Town of Oneida to promote outdoor recreation to youngsters 3 to 15. The event is held in connection with Free Fishing Day in Tennessee, when anyone in the state may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.

Locally, registration for the Oneida event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. near the fishing pier on the waters of the Oneida City Park Lake. In order to sign up for the competition, all children must be present at time of registration. The competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until 11:00 a.m., when a host of prizes will be awarded for the largest catch in six categories. Prizes will be given to the anglers for the largest catfish, bass, crappie, blue gill, perch and trout. Anglers will be divided into four age groups, 3 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, and 13 to 15. Participants must be present at the award ceremony to qualify for the prize giveaway.

For the sake of sustaining a good stock of fish, the Town request that any fish that is not large enough to qualify for the largest in each category be returned to the lake. No boats will be allowed for the competition, a safety issue because of the number of children around the dock. Fishing from either of the lake’s piers is also prohibited.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children. In addition, children ages 13-15 may fish without a license beginning on Free Fishing Day through the following Friday (June 17).

Free Fishing Day and Week apply to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities.