Take A Kid (or a Grownup!) Fishing—Family Fishing Days, Gainesville

Posted on by Tommy Thompson

UF/IFAS’ School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) has a big, long name, and even though it doesn’t say “fish” or “fishing”, its programs include Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (FAS) programs, including Family Fishing Days.  This outreach program hosts monthly events (March through November) that provide families the opportunity to fish together in a safe and fun setting in the 6 “catching ponds” on the grounds of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Anglers can expect to catch bream (bluegill, red-ear sunfish, warmouth), largemouth bass, and channel catfish up to 10 lbs. Family Fishing Days are free, open to the public, and catch-and-release. Volunteers are on hand to help. Folks with little or no fishing experience are encouraged to attend.

The ponds are located in Northwest Gainesville, about 2 miles west of Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site. Heading west on Millhopper Rd., take a right onto NW 71st Street. Go through the gate, and continue until the pavement ends at a long, white building. The ponds will be to your right. There’s plenty of paved parking!The  physical address is: 7922 NW 71st Street Gainesville, FL 32653

2019 Family Fishing Days Schedule

All events are free and open to the general public

Fishing is from 8am till noon

No need to RSVP for events, unless your group has more than 10 people.

If so, please email c.hartman@ufl.edu 

April 20   Family Fishing Day
Easter Egg Hunt
May 11   Mother’s Family Fishing Day
June 15   Father’s Family Fishing Day
July 13   Family Fishing Day
Melt-Your-Popsicle Day
August 10   Family Fishing Day
Back to School Bonanza
September 14   Family Fishing Day
Aquatic Education Day
October 19   Family Fishing Day
Spooky Candy Day
November 16   Final Family Fishing Day
Veteran’s Day and Sharon Fitz-Coy Memorial

 

If dates change for any reason, a notice will be emailed to those on the Fishing For Success email list-serve.  If you would like to be added to this list-serve, please email c.hartman@ufl.edu, indicating your preferred email address. Click here to access the 2019 calendar as a PDF file.