The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) invite families to a special Santa Monica Pier fishing event on June 10. The event kicks off DFG's California Fishing Passport program with a series of Summer Challenge events just for kids, and gives anglers of all ages a sneak preview into the full Fishing Passport program that begins Jan. 1, 2007. The event will be held on the Santa Monica Pier from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

"Pier fishing is a fantastic way to introduce a child to fishing in California as no fishing licenses are required to fish from any of California's numerous public piers," said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. "The new California Fishing Passport program will encourage anglers of all ages and skill levels to experience all the fishing opportunities that California has to offer, starting with fishing from Santa Monica's historic pier."

The Santa Monica Pier fishing event is geared toward kids but parents are welcome to come for a preview of the full program that begins next year. Anglers are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle, but DFG will also have some available to use for free. Experts will be on hand to offer kids useful pier fishing techniques for catching a variety of nearshore species, including surfperch, croakers, halibut and bonito.

At the event, participants will receive an introductory California Fishing Passport, and be eligible for a chance to win fishing prizes donated by program sponsors, including UASC, Berkley, Alpen Optics and West Marine. In order to be eligible for special drawings held during the pier fishing event, kids should sign up early through DFG's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishingpassport.

"We are very pleased to partner with the Department of Fish and Game to get more people out enjoying fishing in the great outdoors," said Tom Raftican, president of UASC. "This program is grounded in the belief that fishing offers an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with family and create lifelong memories."

The three Kid's Summer Challenge events for the 15 years and younger crowd, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, include:

?Ģ June 10 - Pier Fishing at the Santa Monica Pier ?Į?Ģ July 29 - Trout Fishing in Mammoth -Children's Fishing Festival?Į?Ģ Aug. 21 - Ocean Partyboat Fishing in San Diego

The official Passport Challenge, which begins in January, will use awards and prizes to encourage anglers of all levels to explore the state's full-range of fishing opportunities. The Passport currently lists more than 200 game fish and shellfish species.

"Completing this challenge will not be an easy endeavor and it will likely entail using a variety of different fishing methods along the way," said Carrie Wilson, marine biologist and coordinator of the California Fishing Passport program. ?ĮA Passport booklet will be provided for free to anyone who buys a 2007 Sport Fishing License and wishes to take on the Passport Challenge come January. Participants will also be provided with fishing maps and fish identification books to identify a variety of species found in all types of water ways - lakes, rivers, bays and ocean waters. Successful anglers will receive a special passport stamp for each species caught. And the more they travel the state in pursuit of fish and fishing, the more stamps they will earn; along with the opportunity to win bonus prizes depending on the number and types of fish caught.

?Į?Į"The objective of the Passport program is to work with our sportfishing partners to introduce and promote the entire California 'fishing experience' to all ages, skill levels and backgrounds," Wilson said. "Are you up to the Challenge?"

The California Fishing Passport program is the first of its kind in the nation and is supported by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation's Angler's Legacy program (www.AnglersLegacy.org), which challenges avid anglers to "take someone you know out on the water, and give back what you've been given, the great gift of fishing."