04/05/2024
ATTENTION, PLEASE READ: SRSA would like to provide some clarification regarding Saturday’s event at Spring Lake. To be fully clear, SRSA CANNOT prevent any adults from fishing in the lake during the Contest for Kids, as it is not within our jurisdiction to do so. However, it is the strongest wish of our organization, the town of Spring Lake, the Spring Lake Police Department, parents, and sponsors that all adults REFRAIN from fishing during the contest hours in the “Kids Only Fishing Zone” unless assisting a child. All of our efforts are invested ENTIRELY for the benefit of the children who participate. The trout are delivered to this body of water to give children an opportunity to experience the exhilaration of catching a trophy fish
and winning a prize.
To help with our mission, we have selected a portion of the lake to be a “Kids Only Fishing Zone”, where our request to yield to the children is publicly demonstrated by the posting of signs throughout those areas. As stated, we CANNOT legally prevent adults from fishing the lake, but instead, we ask them to honor our Kids Only Fishing Zone and fish elsewhere in the lake. Given our investment in this children’s event, we believe that is more than a fair request.
Further, we would like to remind our fellow fishermen and women that following the conclusion of the event at 1:30 PM, the entire lake and the remaining population of several hundred of “our” trout are available to EVERYONE for the duration of the season. This reflects a broader benefit to the whole community provided by this event. We simply cannot understand why an adult would choose NOT to respect our request, which at a minimum, simply requires the patience to wait five-and-a-half hours while the children enjoy their opportunity. Is that really too much to ask?
Looking ahead to the event…Remember, no advanced registration is required; have children bring their catch to our weigh-in tent to score their entry. Also note, there will be plenty of food and refreshments throughout the day, plus other activities to entertain the kids. Be sure to stop by our tents on East Lake Drive to make the most of your day. PLEASE HAVE THE KIDS DRESS WARMLY for the early morning hours as it is expected to be chilly. Staying warm will help their ability to get through the whole day. Of particular interest to our young anglers, there is a special prize for any child age 15 and under who catches the “Chris Hueth” trout (pictured), a formidable beast that has a special metal tag in its jaw. Our weighmasters will confirm the identity of that trout if-and-when it is weighed in for the contest.
To conclude, we would like to thank all of our sponsors, the town of Spring Lake, the Spring Lake Police Department, and NJ Fish & Game for their support. Please do not hesitate to raise any concerns directly to us at the contest headquarters tent during the event. Good luck Saturday and have a great time!
