This Sunday there are a couple of opportunities for kids to fish in Greene County.

The Greene County Conservation Department is hosting its annual Spring Lake Kids’ Fishing Derby from 9am-noon on Sunday. Conservation Director Tanner Scheuermann tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are three age divisions, including 4-8, 9-12 and 13-15 year olds with free nightcrawlers to use as bait and participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole, but equipment will also be available for kids to use. Prizes will be awarded in each age class and everyone who participates will get a door prize. 

Scheuermann points out one ticket will be given for each fish that is caught, which is then entered for drawings for bigger prizes. He talks about how they include every kid, no matter the skill level, for the drawing.

“The nice thing about it too is for those that may not have very much experience, they’re going to get one ticket right away, right with their door prize. So that way, even if they don’t catch anything, they’re still guaranteed at least a shot of those prizes. You’d be surprised, I think we had two of those last year that had single ticket holders that ended up winning prizes. It’s kind of something we invented here a few years ago and it seems to work out great, everybody had a blast with it last year and I think we’re going to try to continue with it.”   

Another opportunity is the Landon Martin Memorial Fishing Tournament. Bryce Martin says the competitive boat portion is happening from 6am-noon, with an entry fee and a cash prize, at a pond southwest of Jefferson. Then from noon-7pm will be a free-will donation open fishing time for kids and families to enjoy, and a snow cone truck will also be on site from 3-5pm. All proceeds will go to the Landon Martin Scholarship Fund, where one high school graduate from Greene County receives a $1,000 scholarship for up to four years for post secondary education. 

Bryce adds there are a few spots remaining for the limited boat competition. You can contact him at 515-370-2252 to register. Directions to get to the pond can be found below. 

Directions to the Landon Martin Memorial Fishing Tournament:

Four miles west of Jefferson on Highway 30, then 0.3 miles on County Road P-14 (or J Avenue) and then 0.4 miles west on 222nd Street.