Berlin Parks & Rec. to Hold Youth Fishing Derbies

From the Town of Berlin: The Berlin Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registration for the annual Youth Fishing Derbies at the Berlin Parks and Recreation Office, 230 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037. You must pre-register to be able to participate in the derbies and to fish at the pond during the end of April and the entire month of May. The annual Youth Fishing Derbies will be held at Sage Park Pond.

Both derbies will be held from 8-10 a.m., Saturday, April 22 for ages 3-7 and Saturday, April 29 for ages 8-15 for Berlin youth only. An adult must accompany ages 3-10. You will receive an identification card when you register. The deadline to register is the Friday before each event. Remember the Parks and Recreation Department closes at 1 p.m. on Friday. This card must be carried at all times while fishing at the pond.

All participants are eligible for prizes but you must be present when your name is called to win. There is a limit of 5 fish per child and only one fishing pole in the water per child. The event will be held if raining, however, in case of severe storms call the recorder phone for information.

Please note – From April 22-May 31, only 3-15 year old Berlin Residents are allowed to fish at Sage Park Pond. While fishing during this time, residents must carry their identification card issued for the derbies. An adult can accompany youth, if supervision is necessary. The pond is closed to the public on Friday, April 21 and Friday, April 28. All other uses of the pond for fishing during this time are prohibited.

The Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with Jim Shirley and the Connecticut DEEP to offer the CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) program. This free program helps educate families about fish and fishing. The program will be held on April 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Berlin Community Center, for children ages 8 and older and their parents to learn about fishing tackle, how to cast, knot tying, safety, regulations and how to identify their catch.

After the class room instruction, volunteers will be available on Saturday, April 29, at the fishing derby, with fishing gear and tackle, for those who may not have any. Registration is required and can be done on-line or at the Parks and Recreation Department. Minimum of 15 required to run the program. Parents and children need to register individually, space is limited.

Berlin Parks and Recreation Department, 860-828-7009, www.town.berlin.ct.us

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