In an effort to beat the summer heat, the annual Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day at Clay Hill Farms at Pronto will be held in May rather than June.

Saturday, May 15, is the day set for “Kids’ Fishing Day” and all kids between the ages of five and 12 are invited to fish at Clay Hill Farms catfish pond between the hours of 8 and 10:30 a.m. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“Registration will begin at 7 a.m., but fishing won’t start until 8 o’clock,” said Pike County Conservation Enforcement Officer Blake Nowling. “The pond is well stocked with catfish so the fishing will be good all around the pond.”

Nowling said Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day is an educational fishing experience for kids, whether a kid is familiar with the sport or trying it for the first time.

“All the kids should bring a hat, sunglasses, bait, a rod and reel, a stringer and an ice chest for the fish,” Nowling said.

Anything from worms to chicken livers to Catfish Charlie may be used as bait. Some fishermen have good luck with livers while others say commercial bait is best.

“With as many fish as there are in that pond, everybody should have a chance to take home some fish,” Nowling said.

“But you need a rod and reel because once all the kids get around the water, the fish will move to the middle of the pond.”

After the fishing is done and all the lines secured, a drawing will be held for several prizes.

Clay Hill Farms is located at Pronto just off Highway 93 between Brundidge and Banks.

The farm may be reached off U.S. Highway 231 south of Troy on County Road 5523. Follow the signs.

Kids’ Fishing Day is sponsored by the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and Wal-Mart.

It is funded in part by the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.