We are excited to share that the annual Kids Fishing Day is back! The free event will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veronica County Park in Lake Leelanau. This event is made possible by the Lake Leelanau Lake Association and a group of local sponsors.
About Kids Fishing Day
The ponds in Veronica Park will be stocked with 3,500 bluegills for kids of all ages to enjoy catching. All fishing gear, hot dogs, soda, and chips will be provided at no cost — courtesy of our sponsors. In addition to fishing, other activities will include nature exhibits, fish painting, and more! This is a great opportunity to get kids involved in fishing in a safe and fun environment.
“I did not grow up fishing, but my son has wanted to start fishing now that we live on Lake Leelanau. Attending Kids Fishing Day was a great way for him to learn the basics of fishing with the support of people who knew how to help! We can’t wait to come back this year to continue practicing our fishing skills with the rest of the family and our community!” – Cecilia Clary, Kids Fishing Day participant.
We are still seeking volunteers to help with parking, assist with fishing equipment, and staff our booth at the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please, contact Lonnie Rademacher at 517-303-9616.
Bluegill Facts
The name bluegill comes from the bluish region on the fish's cheek and gill cover — they are deep, tall, and flat fish with small mouths. Bluegills feed primarily on insects and their larvae, but they will readily take worms, small minnows, and freshwater crustaceans. Bluegill can be aggressive eaters. So, considering the large number of fish planted this year, your kids are almost guaranteed to catch a fish!
These fish commonly grow to be around 7.5 inches, with the maximum reported length being 16 inches. Fun fact: The heaviest recorded weight of a bluegill is four pounds and 12 ounces. The relatively small size of bluegill makes them a perfect size for your kids’ first fish. Maybe your child can catch the next state record at our event!
Bluegills are great table fare, as they have a mild taste and firm texture. All fish caught at our event can be taken home — let your kid catch your Sunday dinner!
All bluegill facts are provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
Kids Fishing Day Sponsors
The annual Kids Fishing Day event is made possible by many of generous sponsors. We want to thank all those who have worked with us to make this event possible!
- Lake Leelanau Lake Association
- PATH Foundation
- Leelanau Enterprise
- Cedar Rod and Gun Club
- Cherryland Electric CO-OP
- Grand Traverse Band
- Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission
- Leelanau Conservation District
- Lake Leelanau Community Association
- The Fish Hook
- Honor Collision Services
- The Narrows Yacht Club
- Lake Leelanau Narrows Resort
- Tru-Turn Hooks
- Dick’s Pour House
- Michigan DNR
- G.J.’s Rentals
- Hansen Foods
- Alan & Deb Campbell
- Mary Taylor
We are so excited to bring this event back to Lake Leelanau this summer. Should you have any questions about Kids Fishing Day, please, contact us at [email protected] or submit a message via our contact form. We hope to see you and your kids there!