John and Carol Dorrill of Clay Hill Farms at Pronto will host Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day on Saturday, June 17. Kids ages five to 15 are invited to participate in this free fishing day at a sparkling pond in a beautiful Pike County setting. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Dorrills’ pond is teeming with catfish that pull good and eat even better said Jerry Jinright, Pike County Conservation Enforcement officer.   

“The Dorrills are very gracious in hosting Kids’ Fishing Day at their farm each year,” Jinright said. “The pond is well stocked and the Dorrills are having more catfish brought in especially for Kids’ Fishing Day. All kids will have a good chance of catching fish even if they are fishing for the first time. Kids’ Fishing Day is an educational fishing experience for children and we hope to have a large number of kids on the banks.”

Registration begins at 7 a.m. with fishing from 8 until 11 a.m.

“The kids should bring a hat, sunglasses, bait, a rod and reel or fishing pole and an ice chest for their fish,” Jinright said. “The catch limit for each kid is nine and they may keep the fish they catch.”

A limited number of rods and reels will be available for loan. However, those who fish with the loaned equipment must supply the bait and ice chest.

“Chicken livers have proven to be the best bait but some kids prefer Catfish Charlie,” Jinright said. “If you want to try worms, that’s okay, too.”

The kids will be divided into three age groups. First, second and third prizes will be awarded for the heaviest stringer of fish in each age group.

A hotdog lunch, hosted by Walmart, will be served and prizes will be awarded on site from a kids’ name pool.

“In addition to providing lunch for Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day, Walmart has donated $50 toward the purchase of two bicycles to be given in a drawing,” Jinright said. “The winners of that drawing may be two boys, two girls or a boy and a girl. That’s a great prize for our kids’ fishing day event.”

The Conservation Enforcement Officers Association is providing prizes for a drawing that include different kinds of fishing gear, so there is a lot of fun to be had at Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day.

In addition to Walmart Alabama and the Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, sponsors of Pike County Kids Fishing Day are the Alabama Treasure Forest Association, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.

Directions to Clayhill Farms from Troy: South on Highway 231 for about four miles. Turn left on County Road 5522. At the stop sign, turn right onto County Road 5511 and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto County Road 5523 (Norman Wilson Road) and go 1.4 miles. Clay Hill Farms is on the left.

Directions from Brundidge: North of Alabama Highway 93 about 3.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 5523 (Norman Wilson Road) and go 1.4 miles. Clay Hill Farms is on the right.