Excited youngsters watched as several thousand pounds of fish were dumped into Paradise Lake Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s Kids Fishing Day event.
About 6,600 pounds of fish jumped, flopped and splashed their way into the lake after about 10 hours traveling from the Desert Springs Trout Farm in Oregon to Paradise Lake.
Treatment Plant Supervisor Jim Passanisi said the fish were purchased with the help of local donors.
The district also got a $1,500 grant from the Butte County Fish and Game Commission. Next year, the grant will likely be bumped up to $2,000, Passanisi said. The district also has a “save-a-can-buy-a-fish” fundraiser that helps stock the lake.
There are also several tagged fish that will net the catchers a special prize.
Kids Fishing Day happens every year, this year on April 19, and gives youngsters a chance to catch fish for free a week before fishing season officially begins.
Kids Fishing Day is held from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, but the forecast predicts it’s going to be mostly sunny.
Though the event ends at 3 p.m., the youths are generally allowed to hang out until 6 p.m. to enjoy the rest of the day.
The event is for youths ages 3 to 15. Adults are not allowed to fish, but are allowed to help younger anglers with casting and such.
There will also be a raffle, a snack bar and, of course, the ever popular fish weigh-in.
PID employees will also be on hand to help visitors during the event.
The Lake officially opens on April 26.
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