MOSES LAKE - Hundreds of children and their parents descended on Cascade Park learn about fishing and water safety Saturday.

Each child was provided their own fishing gear and allowed to catch two fish. After the two fish had been caught children could either take their fish home or donate them to the senior center.

Local businessman Alan Heroux was at the event helping the volunteers as well as the families there to fish.

"It's just good to get kids outside doing something wildlife oriented," Heroux said. "There's a lot less people fishing and hunting these days than there used to be so it's important to get them out there."

Heroux estimated the event drew between 350 and 375 kids.

Deputies with the Grant County Sheriff's Office were also at the event talking about water safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket.

"I think it's important because you get the little kids down here talking to the sheriff's department and most of the time we'll have Fish and Wildlife here too and they gotta learn that law enforcement's not the enemy," Heroux said. "They're here to keep the peace and keep everything moving forward."

After children caught their fish they could take have their picture taken holding their prized possession and then have them cleaned by volunteer culinary students.

Moses Lake Mayor Bill Ecret was even helping out at the registration booth.

Several donors helped make the event possible, including Windemere Real Estate, Tri State Outfitters and the Columbia Basin Walleye Club.