Kids Fishing Derby, Free Fishing Weekend

Sign up for Ankeny Patch's free newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Saturday is Ankeny's Kids Fishing Derby at Hawkeye Park and coincidentally it's free fishing weekend across the state of Iowa.

Children ages 5 to 13 should bring a rod and tackle to the derby which begins at 10 a.m. And residents of all ages may fish without a license Friday through Sunday as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources free fishing weekend. All other regulations will apply.

Anyone who wants to try their luck has good chances of netting a white bass or bluegill at Saylorville Reservoir, according to the latest DNR fishing report. Channel Catfish are fair below the spillway and white bass are listed as good in that same location. Largemouth Bass are listed at fair. “Anglers should use caution due to floating debris on the lake. However, bass fishing in the flooded bays over vegetation can be good,” the report states.

The free fishing weekend is scheduled during a time when bluegill should be close to the shoreline and aggressive. People should use small tackle – little hooks, a bobber no larger than a quarter, 4-pound test line and small bait, said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau, in a release.

The DNR created a video on how to catch a bluegill which is available on Youtube.

Anyone catching their first fish can send a photo of it in to receive the DNR’s first fish award certificate. Find the form on the DNR site.