Berlin's Annual Youth Fishing Derbies Scheduled

BERLIN, CT - The annual Youth Fishing Derbies in Berlin will be held on two Saturdays in April, the 16th and 30th, at Sage Park Pond, organizers announced.

Both derbies - which are for Berlin residents only - will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the April 16 event for children aged 3-7, and the April 30 one for children aged 8-15. An adult must accompany participants who are between the ages of 3-10.

Participants must pre-register in person at the Berlin Parks and Recreation Department to be able to compete in the derbies, and to fish at the pond during the end of April and the entire month of May. Identification cards will be issued upon registration.

The Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations now, and the deadline to register is 1 p.m. on the Friday before each event.

"All participants are eligible for prizes but you must be present when your name is called to win," organizers stated. "The event will be held if raining, however, in case of severe storms call the recorder phone 860-828-7100 for information."

From a Parks and Rec press release:

New this year, the Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up Jim Shirley and the Connecticut DEEP to offer the CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) program. This program is free to educate families about fish and fishing. We will be offering a program on April 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Pistol Creek, 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 30, 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.

For more information on spring programs, visit www.town.berlin.ct.us