COLUMBUS, OH - Kids accompanied by a paying adult can fish free on selected Lake Erie fishing charters during the week of August 12 to 16, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.
During Kids Fish Free week, adults booking a charter through the charter boat association hotline will be able to bring one youngster aged 17 or under at no charge for each paying adult. For a standard six-person fishing charter, a party consisting of three adults and three youth would pay half the normal charter fee since the three youngsters fish free.
The toll free number is 800-LECBA10 (800-532-2210) and reservations can be made up until the start of Kids Fish Free Week, August 12 to 16.
The Lake Erie Charter Boat Association started the Kids Fish Free program to honor one of its founding members, Jim Fofrich, Sr. As an active proponent of Lake Erie fishing, Fofrich promoted the concept of lowering rates to encourage families to bring their kids along on Lake Erie fishing trips.
To show Jim our respect for his accomplishments and efforts, we wanted to kick off the free fishing program for kids this summer in his honor, said Mike Matta, treasurer of the charter boat captains.
ODNRs Division of Wildlife will contribute fishing brochures and information and the charter boat captains will give each participating youth a certificate.
The Lake Erie Charter Boat Association continues to be a vital partner with us on many projects, said Mike Budzik, chief of ODNRs Division of Wildlife. We all know that fishing is a tremendous way to spend quality time with family and friends. Time spent on the water allows people to connect in a way they cant do anywhere else. Jim Fofrich recognized that a long time ago, he added.
The special Kids Fish Free charter trips will be spent on western Lake Erie, departing from the area surrounding Port Clinton. Fishing trips can be scheduled for walleye, smallmouth bass, perch or a combination of those species.
More than 400 member charter captains will be participating in the program and all will provide the fishing tackle and equipment for the kids on their boats.
Lake Erie is one of the worlds finest fisheries and this is a great way for many families to experience this natural resource treasure for the first time, said Budzik. Walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and steelhead trout fishing - you couldnt ask for a better or more versatile fishery than Lake Erie.
Recent reports from charter boat captains and ODNR Division of Wildlife creel surveyors show that walleye and bass fishing remains good and yellow perch fishing exceptional in the western basin of Lake Erie.