The 14th annual Chico "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" children's event at Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park was a huge success once again. The final tally showed somewhere around 3,000 children having a go at catching their first fish. Many fish were indeed caught by the kids, but thousands remain in Horseshoe Lake to offer a fun opportunity for area children over the summer months.

Some 10,000 pounds of channel catfish were planted the day before in the little 5-acre pond. Most of the cats weighed from ?? to 3 pounds, but enough 4 to 6 pounders were mixed in to give the kids a thrill. The lake supports a modest resident population of bluegill, crappie, bass and bullheads, and any incidental from that group were carefully released.

The event is one of the largest in the United States, and is "the" sporting activity for North Valley children at the start of every summer. At one point there were so many kids fishing at one time, there were literally no spots left along the entire shoreline of the lake.

As is often the case, early birds found the best action, with the whiskerfish biting at a wide-open pace from the 7:00 AM starting time until about 9:00 AM. After that, it slowed somewhat, and by about 11:30 it took an extra-long cast and some extra patience to fool the fish.

Repair and rigging of the 600 loaner rods and reels was accomplished by the Chico Bass Club, and the bait was provided by Oro Dam Bait. The Chico Area Flyfishers set up the great educational aquarium display that showed off many of the fish species that inhabit Horseshoe Lake.

Event chairman Pete Giampaoli said, "Our goal if for every child to have the chance to catch a fish, and to learn to love this great sport. It looks like we are close to achieving that goal!"

A tremendous amount of logistical and financial support was given by the Chico Rotary Clubs, including the toughest job of all; cleaning all those catfish for the lucky anglers.

Major financial sponsors also included Friends of Rollo, California Inland Fisheries Foundation, Butte County Fish and Game Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service, BIA, Epick Homes, Chico Area Flyfishers, UBS Financial Services, Tony Symmes, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, TFI Benchmark, Hefner, Star, & Marois, Foothill Associates, Anderson Brothers, Franklin Construction and numerous other civic groups, local businesses and private individuals.

Horseshoe Lake
The aftermath of the big "Hooked on Fishing" kid's fishing day usually brings out larger than normal crowds at Chico's Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park, in hopes of catching some of the many catfish left over after the event.
Anglers are reminded that anyone age 16 or over is only allowed to fish on a "catch-and-release" basis at Horseshoe Lake, and a valid California Fishing License is required. For kids age 15 or under, no license is required, and a two-fish [any species] daily limit is in force.

A few shameless adults can sometimes be seen taking home as many fish as they can hook, with nary a youngster in sight. In addition, it is requested that adult anglers please pick up all trash in their vicinity, whether they brought it in or not.