For seven years, Schuylkill County gem Sweet Arrow Lake Park hosted a Family Fun Fishing Event in May.

This year, beginning at 8 a.m. on March 23, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Mentored Youth Fishing Day will be held at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park for the first time.

“Last year, while I was visiting A & A Bait Shop in Pine Grove, a mom came in to buy some bait and asked where she could take her son fishing,” said Craig Morgan, Sportsmen’s Advisory Board (SAB) Chairman, and vicechair of Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation.

“Although I mentioned the local trout streams which had been stocked and were open for mentored youth fishing day I thought – why couldn’t I just send her across the street?”

But Sweet Arrow Lake hadn’t been on the stocking list, because the lake regulations allow year-round, open fishing – which would impact trout if stocked before opening day. The Swatara Co-op Trout Nursery stocks the lake the day before the regular trout opener and the Fish & Boat Commission waits until the first week to stock.

Morgan contacted Mark Pisco, Waterways Conservation Officer. Pisco’s response was that not only could the lake be stocked, it could be stocked the day of the event. The work to raise funds to buy trout started immediately.

“We committed to stock $5,000 worth of trout in the only county owned park and lake to make sure we did everything possible so kids would have a good experience,” said Gary Slutter, Vice-chair of the SAB. “We have raised $1,200 and are still taking donations to make this a reality.”

Any youth under age 16, along with a licensed adult with a trout permit may fish on March 23 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. However, the youth must have either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit. Before the event, and on the day of the event, 100 of the licenses will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at A & A Bait Shop (weekdays at 5 p.m. beginning Monday, March 18 and on Saturday, March 23, at 7 a.m.). Kids may keep 2 trout but mentors must return all fish to the lake unharmed.

While you’re at A & A, you can pick up a registration form for the Family Fun Fishing event. That event begins May 5, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The major sponsor of the event is Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation, and activities are being coordinated by the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Advisory Board (SAB) and the Sweet Arrow Lake Park Board, with assistance from the Schuylkill Conservation District.

There will be 50 tagged fish linked to prizes totaling $7,500. The top tag-specific fish include $1,000, $750, $500 and $250 cash and an All-American part spinning reel made in Pine Grove by Innovative Reel Technologies (retail value $750). Forty-five $100 value prizes round out the 50 totals. More than 100 “lunker” trout (18-24 inches long) will be stocked thanks to the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation. A total of $8,000 worth of trout will be stocked for the event. The first 200 kids age 3 through 12 to register will receive a gift.

The registration fee before April 15 to enter is $15 an individual or $30 per household, which will include one $5 individual and one $10 family food voucher. The Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association volunteers make breakfast and lunch with proceeds going toward Youth Field and Women’s Outdoor Day held at Friedensburg Fish and Game. After April 15 and the day of the event the fee will increase $10 and $15 respectively. No registrations will be taken after May 5, so if you catch the $1,000 fish you are out of luck if not registered.

On May 5, check-in and registration will begin at 6 a.m. at the clubhouse area and the PA Fish and Boat access area coordinated by Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited. All tagged fish and Lunkers will be stocked beginning at 8 a.m. (time to have breakfast in the Clubhouse and redeem your food coupons) Most Lunkers and tagged fish will be float stocked to all areas of the lake. All PA Fish and Boat Commission rules and regulations including a fishing license for everyone 16 and older apply. Boats are welcome.

The event registration form is available on the Sweet Arrow Lake County Park website (www.sweetarrowlakepark.com) or at A&A Bait shop this Spring. Contact Craig R. Morgan at 570-617-8223 for more information, including sponsorship.