The Macon Water Authority
790 Second Street • Macon, GA 31202-0108 • (478) 464-5600
Family is the focus of MWA Fishing Derby
May 15, 2012 by Dr. Chris Wood
Approximately 600 guests participated in last year’s Kids Fishing Derby at the Macon Water Authority’s Javors Lucas Lake. The event will be held this year on Saturday, June 2, 2012.
What started as a simple attempt at public outreach and education has blossomed into an award-winning event. The Macon Water Authority (MWA) will be hosting its annual Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday June 2, at Javors Lucas Lake, hoping to break the attendance record set last year when the event won the state’s Best Innovative Initiative in Public Education, as awarded by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).
In a bit of a role reversal, anglers age 16 and under take part in the friendly competition at Javors Lucas Lake, as they cast their lines for the biggest catch of the day. Adults, on the other hand, are admitted only if accompanied by a child, though they also may fish for free, but in designated areas away from the competition. Participating kids must catch their own fish to enter into the Derby.
Academy Sports & Outdoors once again will be serving as the premier sponsor of the event, which last year benefitted from nearly 80 additional organizations who made contributions to provide prizes for the competitors, giveaways for those in attendance, and enjoyment for the entire family. A special thanks to all of the 2012 MWA Kids Fishing Derby Sponsors, in addition to Academy.
This year, the Kids Fishing Derby registration will open at 7:00 a.m., with the weigh-in for the competition beginning at 10:30 a.m., when the top three largest catches in four age group categories will be awarded prizes, in addition to a grand prize for the biggest catch of the day by the overall winner. Lunch and refreshments also will be provided, and admission is free.
The annual MWA Kids Fishing Derby is held each year on one of the days that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) designates as a free fishing day, when anglers can fish Georgia waters without a permit. Attendees must bring their own fishing poles, bait and tackle, and should access Lucas Lake via Broach Lane off of Upper River Road.
For more information on the 2012 Kids Fishing Derby, including features of Javors Lucas Lake, which is the Authority’s drinking water reservoir, citizens can log onto the “Fishing” pages of the Education link to this Web site (www.maconwater.org), or contact the Authority at 478-464-5653.
2012 MWA Kids Fishing Derby Poster
Media contact:
Chris Wood, Ph.D.
770-757-1681 (phone)
jcwood@uga.edu or chris@jwapr.com (email)
Tagged: macon water authority, kids fishing derby, javors lucas lake, academy sports outdoors