MOUNT VERNON – The annual youth virtual fishing tournament series hosted by the Knox County Park District, Kokosing Valley Jr Anglers and THR Creekside Home Inspection is currently taking tournament registrations.
The first tournament to begin the series will be held on April 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at any body of water located in Knox County. Other tournaments in the series will be held monthly May-August.
The tournaments are an innovative way to host an event virtually allowing youth to fish from Wolf Run Regional Park, Ariel Foundation Park, or a pond at their home. The location must be in Knox County. These tournaments are run through a creative mobile app called Fish Donkey which records anglers' successes as they catch fish, identify the species, and measure its length. Live leaderboards are run through the duration of the tournament so anglers can view their standings compared to the other anglers. The species categories for the tournaments included bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, carp, trout and any other fish.
Youth may attend the Youth Day on April 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Knox County Pheasants Forever Chapter #616 as an optional location for the virtual tournament. The Youth Day will be held at Campbell’s Range 22430 Coshocton Road, Howard. Rainbow trout will be stocked at the farm pond on site. Youth will have a chance to land a rainbow trout and earn a place on the leaderboard. The Youth Field Day features an array of outdoor activities from tomahawk throwing, 4-H shooting sports, birdhouse building, leather crafting, gold panning and many more. Fishing poles will be provided at this event by the Knox County Fish and Game Club and the Knox County Park District. All anglers may also bring their own fishing equipment. Live bait will be available. The tournament will be run throughout Knox County so if you cannot attend the sponsored Youth Day you may still register and compete in this tournament.
The tournament is open to youth ages 7-18. Participants must download the Fish Donkey app on a mobile device to compete in the tournament. Information and details can be found on the Knox County Park District website at https://knoxcountyparks.org/virtual-youth-fishing-tournament/ This tournament is free of entry fees compliments of the Knox County Park District. Prizes will be awarded to the top entries in the six categories of fish species by an anonymous donation.
For more information about upcoming programs and future tournaments, visit the Knox County Park District website at www.knoxcountyparks.org and click on events. To request further information on the Knox County Pheasants Forever Youth Day, call or text Althea Dye at 740-358-1632 or email addbaskets@gmail.com.
