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Angler Education Program Schedule

2010 Schedule of Festivals, Clinics and Courses

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

January 2010

January 23-24--Kids Casting Station, Worcester -- As part of the Boy Scout Centenial Celebration at the Worcester DCU Centre, volunteer instructors will be staffing a casting station where anyone can try their casting skills!

January 31 -- Learn to Ice Fish on Lake Whitehall, Hopkinton -- Never ice fished, but always wanted to try it? This is a great winter family activity. MassWildlife Angler Education Volunteer instructors and Woodville Rod and Gun Club members will be at the state boat ramp and on the ice assisting anyone who would like to learn about ice fishing as part of the Club's Annual Kid's Ice Fishing Derby. There is no entry fee for this event, but for purposes of planning, equipment etc, pre-registration is required. Call 508-435-4148 or email lawrenceofwoodville@gmail.com. If there is not enough ice, the "no ice" date will be Sunday, February 21st, from 11am to 3pm.

February

February 10, Ice Fishing Clinic, Burlington-- A Basic Ice Fishing Class will be held one night with the Burlington Recreation Department, Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Burlington Recreation Center. Pending safe ice, an ice fishing outing day will be announced with the location and time TBD. This event is open to anyone, but pre-registration is required. Contact the Burlington Recreation Department at (781) 270-1695.

February 11,12,13,14--Angler Education Exhibit, Worcester. Visit with volunteers and staff from the Angler Education program during the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Expo held at the DCU Center. Learn more about the program and consider attending a clinic! More information on the Expo.

February 18, 19, 20, 21--Angler Education Exhibit, West Springfield--Visit with volunteers and staff from the Angler Education program during the Springfield Sportsmens Show at the Big "E" Fairgrounds.Learn more about the program and consider attending a clinic! More information on the Sportsmen's Show.

February 27-- Winter Skills Workshop for Outdoorswomen, Gardner- The Massachusetts Becoming an Outdoorswoman Program and Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting a Winter Skills Workshop for Outdoorswomen. This event is designed for adult women at Dunn Pond State Park. The Angler Education Program will offer ice fishing as one of the workshop sessions. Pre-registration is required--go to the Becoming an Outdoorswoman calendar for more information and registration materials or contact Ellie Horwitz at (508) 389-6305.

March

March 4, Basic Ice Fishing Course, Gill--Families and friends, pending safe ice, come learn about basic ice fishing, equipment, safety and other tips! The clinic is offered in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Falls Discovery Center. Meet at the Barton's Cove Picnic Area in Gill, 3:30 - 6:00pm. Dress in appropriate winter attire including warm waterproof boots. This event is open and free to anyone, but pre-registration is required. Contact Sarah Bevilaqua at (413) 863-3676.

May

May 2--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 15 -- 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 Lagacyat (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us


Events Offered During 2009

APRIL

April 19--Kids Casting Station, Earth Day, Springfield

MAY

May 3 -- Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline

May 3 -- Spring Festival Fishing Challenge, Westborough

May 9 -- Coes Pond Kids Fishing Derby, Worcester

May 16 -- Watson's Pond Kids Family Fishing Festival, Taunton

May 16 -- Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Marlborough

May 16 -- Burlington Family Fishing Festival, Burlington.

May 17 -- Five Mile Pond Family Fishing Festival, Springfield

May 27 -- Accessible Fishing Clinic, Gardner

May 30 -- Great Falls Discovery Center Family Fishing Day, Turners Falls.

May 30 -- Jordan Pond Fishing Clinic, Shrewsbury

JUNE

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 indeed time well spent and your future purchase of a fishing license directly supports fishing, stocking, education and fish habitat management programs. Contact Jim Lagacy, Program Coordinator for more details at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

June 6 --Disabled American Veterans Fishing Festival, Hudson

June 7--17th Annual Horn Pond Family Fishing Festival, Woburn

June 13 -- Family Fishing Day, Sudbury

June 13 -- Spot Pond Family Fishing Festival, Stoneham

JULY

July 18 -- Whitmans Pond Family Fishing Festival, Weymouth

July 25 -- Houghtons Pond Family Fishing Festival, Canton

July 31 -- Fishing Clinic, Holden

SEPTEMBER

September 12 -- Harold Parker State Park Family Fishing Festival, Andover--On the shores of the Berry Pond at Harold Parker State Forest, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from 9:00am - 1:00 pm. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist anglers. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The Massachusetts Angler Education Program is participating in this event in cooperation w/the Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

September 16, 23 & 30-- Freshwater Fishing Course, Billerica -- These evenings will be filled with presentations and demonstrations by Angler Education Volunteer instructors who will cover information on equipment, safety, ethics, laws and fish identification. This course is co-sponsored by the Billerica Recreation Department in Billerica, 6:30 - 8:30pm. Pre-registration is required, please contact Donna at (978) 671-0921.

September 19 -- Fishing Clinic on Jordan Pond, Shrewsbury -- On the shores of Jordan Pond, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from 9:00am - 12 noon. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist anglers. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The Massachusetts Angler Education Program is participating in this event in cooperation w/the Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-Registration is required - Contact Gary Grindle at ggrindle@th.ci.shrewsbury.ma.us or (508)841-8339.

September 26 -- 3rd Annual "Take Me Fishing Event" at Myles Standish State Forest, Plymouth/Carver -- Families and friends are invited to the shores of Fearing Pond in the State Forest, where you will cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from 10:00am - 4 pm. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist anglers. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The Massachusetts Angler Education Program is participating in this event in cooperation w/the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest. Contact Sharl Heller at slheller@comcast.net.

September 27 -- 13th Annual Massachusetts Outdoor Expo, Sturbridge -- Bring family and friends to this outdoor skills extravaganza (The Big MOE). Participate at at outdoor skill stations of all kinds, from shooting, archery, fishing, wildlife art, kayaking, rock climbing and more. See live birds of prey and other native New England wildlife. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist beginning anglers learn how to fish at one of the many club ponds.If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The "Big MOE" is sponsored by Facts About Wildlife & Nature Society (FAWNS) and will be taking place on the grounds of the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge. Check the FAWNS website for more details about this all-day event

 

OCTOBER

October 3 -- Grandparents & Kids Family Fishing Day, Granby -- The Granby Senior Center is hosting this event on Dufresne Pond. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist beginning anglers learn how to fish at one of the many club ponds.If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Contact Gloria Viviar at (413) 467-3239.

October 3 -- Fishing Clinic on Jordan Pond, Shrewsbury -- On the shores of Jordan Pond, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from 9:00am - 12 noon. MassWildlife Angler Education Instructors will be on hand to assist anglers. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along! A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. The Massachusetts Angler Education Program is participating in this event in cooperation w/the Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Department. Pre-Registration is required - Contact Gary Grindle at ggrindle@th.ci.shrewsbury.ma.us or (508) 841-8339.