Angler Education Program Schedule

2012 Schedule of Festivals, Clinics and Courses

No fishing license is required at the listed fishing events below! This schedule will be updated as events are confirmed throughout the year.

Some of the festivals below are annual events, occuring at about the same time of year. If you are part of an organization that would like to host a fishing clinic or to set up a fishing festival, contact our coordinator, Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309.

2012 EVENTS

January

January 17, 19, 24, 26 -- Basic Fly Tying, Westborough -- It's winter and fly tyers are getting ready for the spring melt. Join Jim Malo and Angler Education Volunteers from 7:00 - 9 pm at the DFW Field Headquarters to learn about tying flys! Space is limited and pre-registration is required. contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

January 29 RESCHEDULED FOR FEB 26 -- Kids Ice Fishing Event, Hopkinton -- MassWildlife and the Woodville Rod & Gun Club's Pikers will be co-hosting this ice fishing festival on Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton from 11 AM - 2:30 PM off the state boat ramp on Rte 135. Learn how to fish the "hard water". Dress for the weather--warm boots a must! Pre-registration is required by February 23. Call (508) 435-4148 or email Lawrenceofwoodville@gmail.com.

February

February 7, 9, 14, 16 -- Advanced Fly Tying, Westborough -- If you have some experience in fly tying or took the Basic class last month, sign up to bring your skills up to the next level! Join Jim Malo and Angler Education Volunteers from 7:00 - 9 pm at the DFW Field Headquarters for this advanced course. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.\

February 10-12 -- MassWildlife Angler Ed at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Expo, Worcester. The Expo is held at the DCU Centre from Friday through Sunday. Visit with volunteer instructors and DFW staff at the agency booths. If you'd lke to be an instructor, find out more about this program from the people who are volunteering. Show website.

February 23-26 -- MassWildlife Angler Ed at the Springfield Sportsmens Show, W. Springfield. This show is held at the Big E in several buildings from Thursday through Sunday. Visit with volunteer instructors and DFW staff at the agency display located in the Better Living Center near the big fish tank. If you'd lke to be an instructor, find out more about this program from the people who are volunteering. Show website.

February 23 (RESCHEDULED FROM JAN 29)-- Kids Ice Fishing Event, Hopkinton -- MassWildlife and the Woodville Rod & Gun Club's Pikers will be co-hosting this ice fishing festival on Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton from 11 AM - 2:30 PM off the state boat ramp on Rte 135. Learn how to fish the "hard water". Dress for the weather--warm boots a must! Pre-registration is required by February 23. Call (508) 435-4148 or email Lawrenceofwoodville@gmail.com.

May

May 6 -- Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline-- On the shores of Brookline Reservoir, from 9:00am - 12:00pm, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Brookline Recreation Department. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or email jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

May 19 -- Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Marlborough--This special festival is open to disabled veterans only at the Marlboro Fish and Game Club, 10:00 - 2:00pm. The Angler Education Program is partnering with the Marlboro Fish and Game Club. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

May 20 -- Whitman Pond Family Fishing Festival, Weymouth -- On the shores of Whitman pond, from 10 AM - 2 PM, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Whitman's Pond Association and Weymouth Youth and Family Services. Contact Marie Feely at (781) 340-6976 for more details.

June

June 2 & 3 -- STATEWIDE FREE FISHING WEEKEND! Take a friend or family member fishing for free--you won't need a fishing license to fish any waterbody statewide for these two days! It is time well spent with family and friends. Your purchase of a fishing license directly supports fishing, stocking, education and fish habitat management programs. Contact Jim Lagacy, Program Coordinator for scheduling a fishing festival or clinic in your area during the year at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

June 2 -- Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Hudson -- This event is open soley for disabled veterans and will be held from 10:00 - 2:00pm in cooperation with the Riverside Rod and Gun Club. Contact Jim Lagacy at at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

July

July 28 -- Houghton's Pond Family Fishing Festival, Canton -- This family-friendly event will be at Houghton's Pond at the Blue Hills Reservation. It will be held from 10:00 - 2:30pm in cooperation with DCR's Blue Hills Reservation. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. Contact the Blue Hills Reservation at (617) 698-1802.

August

September

September 24 -- Fishing at the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (The Big MOE), Sturbridge Learn about fishing from MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and many other fun outdoor and nature related activities at The Big MOE located on the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds. Organized by FAWNS (Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society) this outdoor extravaganza is packed with activities for the whole family! For more information on MOE, contact Gary Zima at (508) 389-6314.

September 29 -- Friends of Myles Standish State Forest 4th Annual Take Me Fishing Fishing Event, Carver-- This family-friendly event will be at Fearing Pond at Myles StandishState Forest. It will be held from 10:00 - 3:00 pm in cooperation with the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. For more information, contact Sharl Heller at slheller@comcast.net