Youth ice fishing clinic registration opens

Kids, volunteers, and heated tents covered the pond in Marr Park Saturday morning for an ice fishing clinic organized by Washington County Conservation and the ISU Extension Office. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Jared Ropp (right) throws back a fish caught by Cameron Ropp (left) while ice fishing. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

WASHINGTON — Washington County 4-H and the Washington County Conservation Board are working together to reach shared goals that involve youth, hands-on learning, healthy living and outdoor education to bring the third annual FISH ON Youth Ice Fishing Clinic to Washington County.

This year’s event is in honor of longtime fisher Dennis Jennings and his love for the outdoors. Jennings died unexpectedly days after last year’s ice fishing clinic.

“He was part of that crew that helped us at the ice fishing clinic last year,” said Iowa State Extension Youth Coordinator Amy Green, who is running this year’s event. “he really loved ice fishing and loved teaching kids.”

Pending the winter temperatures and ice-forming weather, the FISH ON event is scheduled for Jan. 21 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The morning will be filled with topics to include ice safety, fish species, ice fishing equipment, licensure regulations, fishing technology and fishing careers. Teaching will be led by Washington County Conservation naturalists, Iowa DNR officers and local volunteers. Thanks to generous sponsors, youth will receive their own ice fishing equipment and then work with local ice fisherman at the Marr Park ponds to catch fish.

The event is open to any youth. Participants younger than fourth grade must have an adult attend to assist them, who must have a current fishing license. 4-H membership is not required. Limited space is available, and $10 online registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis until filled or Jan. 18. There is a $10 fee. Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/4HFishOn2023

Contact the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811 or amygreen@iastate.edu, with any questions about the FISH ON! Youth Ice Fishing Clinic or other ways for youth to be active in the outdoors this winter season. Follow “Washington County 4-H — Iowa” on Facebook for 4-H events and other youth programs in Washington County.