A real fish story

MEDIA RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

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City's kids fishing pond set to open June 2

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – With warmer weather creeping into the Eastern Upper Peninsula and the ice finally gone from the St. Mary's River, the Soo Area Sportsmen's Club is betting that local kids' thoughts are turning to fishing.

The club, City of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University and Edison Sault Electric Company are making preparations once again to set the blocker net that creates the Kids Fishing Pond at Rotary Park.

The pond, stocked with rainbow trout through the generosity of donors, has been a summer fixture of the park since 2004 and has been a huge success. It will open for kids this year during the first weekend in June.

The Soo Sportsmen, in conjunction with LSSU's Aquatic Research Laboratory, will be coordinating the purchase of fish for the pond.

Roger Greil, club member and manager of the LSSU lab, said the club welcomes any assistance from potential donors.

"If any individual or organization would like to help out with this, please let us know," Greil said.

Any amount of assistance is welcome.

"To provide fish for the pond and to maintain it is a costly endeavor, so any help would be appreciated."

The club buys 500 rainbow trout per month for the pond.

The fish average about 12 inches and cost $2.35 each.

In addition, there is a $150 fee to haul the fish to Sault Ste. Marie.

"To stock 500 fish per month for four months is costly, but we feel it is worth it for our children," Greil said. "I don’t think you can go by the pond during the summer without seeing someone fishing it." 

Greil reminded area residents that the pond is for kids only.

"If you are old enough to need a fishing license, then you cannot fish the pond," he said. "If parents need to help their children with casting, baiting hooks, that is fine, but please do not fish for your child."

For more information on the pond, or to join the Soo Area Sportsmen's Club, please call Greil at 906-632-4492 or write SASC, P.O. Box 497, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 49783.

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