The Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 4th annual "Kid Fish Fest 2007." The trout fishing outing is for the youth ages 16 and under. The target date will be Saturday, January 13, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the program goal is to release catchable size rainbow trout in Kenetso Park Pond. The youth in Gainesville and the surrounding cities will have a chance to experience hands on fishing. The Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department will have Keneteso Park Pond stocked with over 2,700 trout to increase the odds of a memorable fishing experience. This event is absolutely free to youth participants.

The kids will need to furnish their own fishing pole and bait (canned corn, marshmallows, or bright colors were successful last year). Bring your parents or grandparent to assist if needed. Volunteers from the Gainesville Bass Club and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be on hand to assist you and your child to catch the fish stocked for this event. So even though you have never touched a fishing pole or fish, there will be help to assist you and your child for this wonderful experience. Just let us know at check in.

The day of the event just show up, register for prizes, sign waiver, and start fishing. Throughout the day, there will be random drawings for prizes. The final contests, "most on a stringer" and "longest fish" will take place at 3:00 p.m. So come out and enjoy beautiful Keneteso Park of Gainesville, Texas.

What to bring to a Kid Fish Fest Event
1. Fishing pole for youth
2. Bait
3. Warm clothes
4. Camera to catch the catch
5. Something to sit on
6. Warm clothes
7. Raincoat if weather requires one
8. And did mention warm clothes?

Things not to bring
1. Family pets
2. Bad attitudes
3. Loud radios
4. Alcoholic bevarages

Free tips to have a successful Kid Fish Fest

1. HAVE FUN..don't worry about small stuff. A smiling child is what its all about.

2. Keep it simple. This is for the kids. Your children want to spend time with you.

3. Do not force a child to handle or touch the fish. We will take them off of the hook for them.

4. We will hold them while they are photographed if needed. We want the kids to have fun and remember their experience of a fun time, not a scary one.

5. Please take what you catch. Please do not throw fish in the trash. Put them back into the pond - catch and release it if you like. It is your responsibility to bring the correct equipment to take your catch home with you.

6. You will not be allowed to clean your fish in the park.

We will do our best to make your fishing experience memorable, safe, and fun.

This is a not-for-profit event. The Parks & Recreation Department is still seeking sponsorship and partnership to assist with the expense of purchasing the trout and prizes to be given away. I would like to request any business that may have interesting prizes that children would like to receive for the drawings to please give me a call.

Should you want further detail about this program, please feel free to call Patrick McCage, Parks & Recreation Supervisor of Gainesville, TX (940) 668-4530.