Nearly 100 young anglers baited a hook at South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) Youth Fish Camps this summer. The program was on hiatus in 2020, due to COVID-19 and sold out quickly when it made a return for its twelfth season in 2021.
“These popular camps deliver an invaluable outdoor learning experience for youth and help familiarize young people with the natural environment through responsible and sustainable fishing,” explains Kelsey Smith, SNC’s Stewardship and Outreach Assistant.
The youths reeled in some of the 72 fish species that call the South Nation River home, casting a line at the High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman, Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area in Plantagenet, and the Cass Bridge Conservation Area in Winchester.
Special guests from the Water Rangers were also on-site to teach youth about water quality through citizen science testing kits, while members from the Ottawa Flyfishers Society provided participants with the basics of fly fishing.
“There is a lot of value in these camps, like promoting eco-health,” adds Smith. “Kids are given the chance to fish all day, make new friends, and connect and learn about their local environment.”
Recreational fishing programs promote sustainable angling practices and encourage residents to explore fishing opportunities at Ontario Conservation Areas. SNC works in partnership with its 16 member municipalities to share natural spaces and offer recreational opportunities on land and water.
To learn more about recreational fishing opportunities in the region, visit www.nation.on.ca/recreation/fishing .
Members of South Nation Conservation’s Youth Fish Camps cast their lines at High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman. Photo courtesty of SNC
