'Take Me ICE Fishing'
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 11 months AGO
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Jim Neils watches his fishing poles while waiting for a bite Jan. 15, 2007 from under the 7-inch thick ice on Fernan Lake.</p>
Stocked with fishing tackle, Idaho Fish and Game's "Take Me Fishing" trailers travel to local waters across the state to promote fishing opportunities. Wrapped with vibrant fish illustrations, they're easy to recognize.
Twenty-eight events were held in the Idaho Panhandle during the months of May and June to get the spring fishing season off to a jump start.
The response from the public was so positive that IDFG has scheduled a "Take Me ICE Fishing" event for Saturday at Hauser Lake from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate for all attending.
Fishing equipment and bait can be checked out for free during the event. IDFG employees, Cabela's employees and volunteers will use a handy-dandy gas powered ice auger to drill holes for everyone participating. Kootenai County Parks and Waterways will have the parking lot plowed and the newly installed restrooms available.
Reservations are not needed and equipment is checked out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants will not need a license to fish during the hours of the event; however all other rules such as size limits and species limits do apply. Idaho children 13 years old and under can always fish for free.
These events give their parents, older siblings and friends the opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a license. Getting kids excited about fishing will help build a new generation of anglers. The only thing kids and their parents need to do is show up!