Young anglers can try their luck when Cal U and the community again collaborate to present the 18th annual Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival, set for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20 at Rotary Park, off Route 88 (Third Street) in California.
The free event is open to boys and girls ages 15 and younger. A parent, guardian or other responsible adult must accompany children ages 12 and younger.
Participants may bring their own fishing gear, or they can borrow equipment from a Cal U student volunteer as part of the state Fish and Boat Commission’s Borrow-A-Rod-and-Reel program.
The Pike Run Fishing Festival Committee will stock the stream with nearly 500 rainbow, brook, brown and golden trout, some as long as 24 inches. As it has done in the past, the committee will provide entertainment and food for the event.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. Along with excellent fishing, participants can look forward to family-friendly games, raffles, fishing contests and many other activities.
The festival closes with a weigh-in, prizes and the awarding of trophies. Youngsters are encouraged to help stock the stream at 2 p.m. April 19.
Cal U’s Dr. John Confer, faculty adviser for the event, said this successful collaboration between the university and community has attracted nearly 200 participants in each of the past six years.
“Everyone involved in the event learns about environmental stewardship, and it’s an excellent experience in community involvement for our students,” he said.
The fishing festival is co-sponsored by Cal U’s Student Government Association, the Department of Earth Sciences’ parks and recreation program, and the Cal U Eco Learning Community, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the California Rotary Club, the Borough of California and the California Borough Recreation Authority.
The festival also celebrates Earth Day.
For more information, contact Confer at 724-938-4211 or confer@calu.edu, or visit the Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival website or Facebook page.