The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will host the 8th Annual Teen Anglers Youth Day at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford, Warren County on July 23. Teen Anglers is a national non-profit organization dedicated to teaching teenagers life skills via fishing. There is no fee for youths ages 12 through 19 to participate in the organization, but they must maintain a "C" grade average and attend fishing and boating safety classes in order to stay involved. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Teen Anglers Youth Day will provide an opportunity to fish for rainbow trout in the education pond. Anglers will be allowed to catch-photograph-and-release as many trout as they want, and keep one (18" or greater), so please bring a cooler w/ice. Teens who have some background in fishing are encouraged to bring their own lures or flies. Barbs on the lures or flies will be pinched so that all anglers (both newcomers and seasoned anglers) will be fishing with barbless hooks. Bait (worms) will be provided free of charge.
Participants may bring their own tackle or use the Division's equipment. Unlike most Teen Anglers events, there will be no boat fishing - all angling will be done from the shore. Participants are also encouraged to bring along a friend to introduce them to the sport so they'll always have a fishing buddy.
Teen Anglers is a non-profit organization based out of Florida with chapters throughout the country, including New Jersey. Chapter organizers use Teen Anglers' curriculum to teach boating and fishing safety and ethics. Some members participate in tournaments hosted by Teen Anglers, though competition is not the primary focus of the organization. The program seeks to instill positive life skills that include open communication, healthy recreation and relaxation, and concern and commitment to improving waterbodies and natural resources. For more information or to join Teen Anglers visit
http://teenanglers.org/ .
The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is New Jersey's only trout hatchery that is also devoted to fishing education. Fishing education programs are run at the hatchery from April through November for visitors aged 8 through adult in partnership with New Jersey Trout Unlimited and the Division's Wildlife Conservation Corps. Nearly 1,500 people attend fishing education programs at Pequest every year. The hatchery raises 700,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout annually for stocking in public waters.
The Teen Anglers Youth Day program is free of charge, but registration is required. Lunch (hot dogs, chips) will be provided. There will be prizes for all! To register visit
http://teenanglers.org/ .
