Fishing class offered tonight

A free one-hour class to introduce beginners of all ages to fishing and local fishing opportunities will offered at 7 p.m. today at the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area next to the fishing pier at Lake 18.

The class is offered as part of the Nebraska Game and Park Commission’s new Volunteer Fishing Host program at several state park and recreation areas this summer, according to instructor Roger Flanders.

Besides today’s class, volunteers who are NGPC-certified youth fishing instructors will be on hand Saturday morning to help and instruct youngsters participating in the annual Optimist Fishing Derby from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake 3.

Friday’s class will cover gear and tackle selection, basic fishing techniques, simple but strong fishing knots, species identification, rules and regulations, area fishing opportunities and fishing ethics. Students are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle. A limited number of “loaner” rods and reels will be available at no charge; these require an adult’s signature on the liability release.

While Saturday is the statewide “free park entry/free fishing” day, a park-entry permit is required for admission to the recreation area today. One-day and annual permits are availa