DNR Hosts Regional Fish Iowa! Games Competition and FREE Family Fishing Fun in June

The regional competition for the Fish Iowa! Games will be held June 7 at the Liberty Centre Pond in North Liberty.  The Iowa Games and Iowa Department of Natural Resources sponsor Fish Iowa! Games competitions through Iowa schools. Students learn to cast from three distances using the flipping, pitching, and overhand techniques.  The program is unique in that it allows participants to learn the basic casting techniques then demonstrate them as part of a fun competition.

All Iowa youth (grades K-12) are eligible to participate in one of two divisions- Regional Medal Class (students who received 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd placed in their school’s competition) or Open Class (students who did not place in a school competition or did their school did not host a competition).  Contestants will participate in three age groups: age 8 and younger, age 9-11, and age 12 and older. Winners will be eligible to compete in the state finals held in Ames on July 19. Fish Iowa! Games rules and regulations will apply for open class competitions.

June 6-8 are Free Fishing Days in Iowa, so the entire family can try their hand at fishing during the free family event that follows the competition. There will be live fish, experts from Scheels, fly fishing demonstration, food, and prize drawings. Fishing license requirements are waived for Iowa residents for these three days; all other fishing regulations are still in effect. 

Fish Iowa! Games Eastern Iowa Cast Off

WHEN: Saturday, June 7

WHERE: Liberty Centre Pond, North Liberty

TIME: 9 to 11 a.m. – Registration, competition, and awards ceremony

10 a.m. to noon – Free Fishing Weekend Family Fishing Event

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the competition. Participants are asked to stay until the end of the competition as all contestants will be recognized.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register online, but onsite registration is available ($5 entry fee – includes t-shirt).

For additional information contact:

DNR Aquatic Education Program, 641/747-2200