GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Hundreds of young anglers and their families cast lines at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on May 9 during the ninth annual Kids Fishing Day hosted by Gridley Parks and Recreation.

The event featured an exclusive fishing pond stocked with 1,000 pounds of catfish west of Gridley. Volunteers and partner agencies arrived before sunrise to prepare for the opening cast at 7 a.m.

Gridley Parks and Recreation staff worked alongside California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens, the Gridley Lions Club and CalFire crews to organize the event. Families boarded a fleet of school buses that transported participants and fishing gear from the registration area to the ponds.

Children without equipment received free fishing poles and bait at the site. Volunteers, including Biggs City Councilmembers Jerome Squires and Zach Brown, helped children fit and check out equipment throughout the morning.

Representatives from CalFire, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies attended Kids Fishing Day at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. The Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District booth featured insect displays and educational information for visitors.

Anglers lined the shoreline during the five-hour event, patiently waiting for bites while others reeled in catfish from the stocked waters. Some families kept fish tied in the water while others placed their catches on ice. Fish donated by participants were collected in coolers monitored by volunteers for redistribution.

Among the families participating were Roberto Gomez and his sons, Lorenzo and Fabian, who brought their catch to the Gridley Parks and Recreation booth to be weighed for the day’s contests.

“We fillet them,” Roberto Gomez said of the catfish his sons caught. “They’re great!”

Gomez said the event brought the community together and gave his family an opportunity to meet more local residents.

“Events like this are good for the community, and bring everybody together,” Gomez said.

Lorenzo Gomez summed up the experience with a smile.

“It’s good!” he said.

Volunteers with the Gridley Lions Club prepare and serve free barbecue lunches during Kids Fishing Day at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on May 9. Attendees received hot dogs, chips and cookies free of charge.

According to Gridley Parks and Recreation, Levi Bowling caught the first fish of the day.

The contest for biggest fish featured separate boys and girls divisions. Angel Bandilla won the boys division with a catfish weighing 4.71 pounds while Gracie Cherry won the girls division with a 4.11-pound catch.

Rosalyna Juarez earned recognition for catching the most fish during the event with 11 total catches.

Organizers said the annual event continues to provide families with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and introduce children to fishing in a community setting.