Newton Citizen

Lithonia resident Emmitt Edwards is not waiting for a special day to fish as he casts his line in hopes of catching either a bream, catfish or a bass from the Crossroads Pond at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center last week. Edwards said he comes out to the pond two to three times a week and enjoys his fishing time. He's a retired disabled veteran. - Staff photo by Sue Ann Kuhn-Smith

COVINGTON -- If you're looking for a family activity that doesn't cost a lot of money, look no further than Saturday's celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division.

Events are planned at state parks throughout the state, including Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield.

"If you participate in outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, or if you have an interest in those activities but don't know how to get started, you will want to attend one of these events," said Dean Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division. "There will be a variety of things to do and you will have knowledgeable staff and volunteers who simply want to help you have the best time possible and encourage you to take the activity beyond this one day."

At Charlie Elliott there will be a special Kids Fishing Day from 9 a.m. until noon for those 16 and younger. Youngsters can hook a catfish at Dove Pond and they'll be able to take it home for supper, if they so desire.

Young fishermen should bring a cooler to keep their catch, although creel limits do apply. Those 14 and younger must be supervised by an adult. All participants must bring their own fishing gear and bait. For more information on the event, call 770-784-3063.

And for the adults, Sept. 22 has been designated as a day for fishing without the necessity of a fishing or trout license. Residents can fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and Public Fishing Areas (PFA). Residents do not need to obtain a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) license to fish on a PFA, WMA or on Waters Creek on this day. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to introduce someone to the fun of fishing.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was first established by the U.S. Congress and President Richard Nixon in 1973 to recognize generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money they donate to wildlife conservation programs.

For more information on events at state parks throughout the state go to www.georgiawildlife.com/get-involved/nhfday