By Jolene FarleyThe MinnAqua Program, sponsored by the Beaver Creek Sportsman’s Club, teaches children and adults about lake and stream ecology while teaching them to fish. The program, in its third year at the Hills Rez, has been moved to Saturday, June 14, this year to coincide with Friendship Days.MinnAqua is a statewide education program designed by the Department of Natural Resources to teach angling recreation and stewardship, as well as ecology and conservation of aquatic habitats. Last year with only 12 kids, numbers were down in the Hills program. Organizers decided to move the date of the event hoping to draw more participants. In the past, totals were higher."Most kids are in town for activities with Friendship Days so we thought we would coordinate with them," said Beaver Creek Sportsmen’s Club member Arlyn Gehrke. MinnAqua hires and trains interns to lead fishing and aquatic education programs full of hands-on activities. Beaver Creek Sportsmen’s Club members help with the program at the Rez.Each activity is usually 20 to 30 minutes and is intended for kids in third- through fifth-grades, but most activities can be modified for all ages and abilities. "We have five different topics we’re going to be covering," Gehrke said."Enviroscape Watershed Model/Wonderful Watersheds"Participants, third-grade through adults, learn where water flows and how land use affects water quality. This is a popular class, according to Gehrke. Kids taste different water samples of water for quality."Fishing Equipment and Techniques/Live Bait Hunt"Kids put their hands in brown bags to feel live bait. Kids learn what bait is used to catch various fish species. They can experiment with bait to see if they can catch fish. "Rods and Reels Used in Freshwater Fishing"Learn the basic differences between rods and reels used in freshwater fishing. Examples include spin casting (sometimes called closed-faced or push button), spinning (open-faced), bait casting and fly-fishing. Older students may practice casting the different outfits on the lawn."Spin Casting Fishing"Rig and cast for 30 minutes then fish for an hour. Kids learn how to tie a fishing knot, put on a hook, bobber and sinker and how to safely cast. Gehrke said all the kids usually receive a gift, such as some tackle, after completing the classes. Volunteers also try to allow time for participants to fish in the Rez. The pond reportedly has pike, walleye, bass and some smaller fish."We definitely want adults to come down to see the steps we’re taking at the Rez to improve water quality," he said, referring to recent efforts to alleviate algae problems with barley straw.
