Youth Fishing Series
Youth Fishing Event (Youth 17 and Under)
We invite you to reel in Metroparks Memories at this youth fishing event.
Cannonball Prairie pond will be open for youth fishing (under age 18) during this time. Those ages 16 and 17 will need to have an Ohio Fishing License. You are welcome to bring your own equipment, but we will have fishing poles and bait available on a first come, first served basis.
Help protect the balance of this ecosystem by taking all of your live bait home and dumping nothing into the water or onto land.
This event runs rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, no flip-flips. Minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
All Metroparks ponds are catch and release only.
Cannonball Prairie
No Registration Required, Free
- Saturday, June 17, 9 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. to noon
- Sunday, August 6, 9 a.m. to noon
Youth Fishing Class (Ages 8 to 14)
Cannonball Prairie
Registration Required, Fee: $15
Youth Fishing Class: Fly Fishing (Ages 8 to 14)
Cannonball Prairie
Sunday, September 3, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Registration Required, Fee: $8 [Registration Opens July 1]
Click Here to download the Fishing Series flyer.
Past Fishing Events
Kids Fishing Weekend
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will stock lakes at two Metroparks with rainbow trout in time for kids fishing days this Friday and Saturday, and you can keep the trout you catch. Fishing is reserved for those 17 and younger on those days at Pearson Lake and Oak Openings' Mallard Lake. While all Metroparks lakes and ponds are normally catch-and-release, there is an exception for rainbow trout. The daily limit is 5 fish. Youth ages 16 and 17 will need an Ohio fishing license.
Metroparks staff will have fishing gear and bait available on a first-come basis Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at both locations. You can also bring your own rod and reel. If you want to take your trout home to cook, please bring a cooler of ice. Help protect the balance of this ecosystem by taking all of your live bait home and dumping nothing into the water or onto land.
Adults can fish these lakes starting Sunday. Ohio fishing license required for ages 16 an over.
This event runs rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. No flip-flops. Minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
No Registration Required, Free
- Oak Openings Preserve, Mallard Lake
Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. to Noon - Pearson, Lake Activity Center
Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. to Noon
Youth Fishing Class: Fish Cleaning (Ages 8 to 14)
Cannonball Prairie
Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to noon
Registration Required, Fee: $20
Fly Fishing 101 & Fishery Management (Adults Only)
Cannonball Prairie
Sunday, June 4, 9 to 11 a.m.
Registration Required, Fee: $35 [CANCELLED]