Kids can fish for free and register to win prizes, including two lifetime licenses, at a variety of fishing events in Western North Carolina.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is supporting these fishing events as part of National Fishing and Boating Week. The grand prize is a lifetime sportsman license, which includes freshwater and saltwater fishing privileges, as well as hunting privileges. The first prize is a lifetime freshwater fishing license. There are 150 fishing-related prizes, such as tackle boxes, rod-and-reel combos and fishing line. Local sponsors for many events will provide prizes and gifts to registered participants as well.

More than 2,500 children are expected to attend these events across the state, catching commission-stocked fish from trout in the mountains to catfish and sunfish in the Piedmont and coastal regions.  

Kids’ fishing days

• Jackson County, Cullowhee Creek

June 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Limited to first 40 kids, ages 7 to 12. 828.293.3053.

• Macon County, Cliffside Lake

June 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Register on site day of event; for kids ages 15 and younger. 828.524.6441, ext. 421.

• Haywood County, Max Patch Pond

June 11 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Register on site day of the event. 828.682.6146.

• Graham County, Santeetlah Creek

June 4 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Pre-registration at U.S. Forest Service office, Cheoah Ranger District, Robbinsville. Rain date: June 11. 828.837.5152, ext. 118.