AKRON, OH -- Any adult, group, or conservation club who has a sincere interest in taking kids fishing should consider becoming a certified Passport to Fishing instructor, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. A free workshop is available on Thursday, June 30^th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will take place at Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron.

Passport to Fishing is a one-day instructor training program that qualifies individuals to become Division of Wildlife certified fishing instructors, similar to a hunter education instructor.  

Passport to Fishing was developed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and adopted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.  Workshops teach volunteers the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program with a fishing event. These instructors then go back to their communities, with a written curriculum and training aids, to teach youngsters and beginning anglers the basics of fishing.

By becoming a certified instructor, you will not only be able to help in reconnecting students with the outdoors, but you will also have the skills and resources to help you do it in a more successful way.  Resources available include grants, equipment, brochures, and training.

Workshop registration is required; call Ken Fry, Division of Wildlife at (330) 245-3030.