This news item expired on Saturday, April 9, 2022 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Updated: The grand prize for the most fish caught overall is a kid's Move Angler Fishing Kayak provided by Waterways Asheville.
It’s a sport, a hobby, a profession, a skill! Fishing crosses all gender, cultural, and economic lines. For some, it’s about catching the biggest fish, for others it’s the quantity. The adrenaline rush and pride when a line is pulled in is the same either way.
Buncombe County Recreation Services hosts its annual spring kids fishing tournament at Charles D. Owen Park on Saturday, April 9. The tournament is open to anyone 15 years old or younger. Competitors are divided into five age groups with prizes in each for Biggest Fish, Smallest Fish, Most Fish Caught, and Most Accurate Casting Skills.
“Fishing builds confidence, improves coordination, teaches patience, and encourages an appreciation of nature,” said Mac Stanley, Outdoors Coordinator for Buncombe County Recreation Services. “This tournament is a great way to introduce our younger residents to healthier lifestyles and decrease screen time – at least for a little while.”
As a catch-and-release tournament, fish are released back into the lake after they have been weighed and measured. Registration is $10 per competitor and includes a bucket, bait, and snacks. Participants bring their own poles.
Preregistration is available and recommended. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. the day of the tournament. Fishing commences at 8:30 a.m. and ends promptly at 11:30 a.m. No fishing license is required for North Carolina residents under 16 years old. No boat fishing is allowed during the tournaments.
Click here to register.