ATHENS, Texas—The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center’s annual Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament will take place this year on Saturday, September 25.
The tournament awards prizes for the heaviest stringers of sunfish, but the event is really about adults and children having fun fishing together.
Numerous prize packages will be awarded, including an X-Box 360 with game, fishing equipment and gift cards from local businesses.
Sponsors of the event include the Lake Athens Property Owners Association, Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership, Best Western Royal Mountain Inn, Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites – Athens, WalMart Supercenter of Athens, Cole Air Conditioning and Appliance, Chicken Express and First State Bank.
Teams must consist of one adult 18 years of age or older and one child under 18 years of age. Each team can weigh in a maximum of four fish. Multiple teams can fish from the same boat, making it possible for both parents to partner with different children and still fish as a family. Team members are not required to be related.
Teams may choose to fish either on Lake Athens, which is adjacent to TFFC, or in TFFC’s ponds and streams, some of which have been stocked with bluegills.
All species of sunfish or bream (except largemouth bass) are allowed; for information on identifying them, see
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/aquaticspecies/inland.phtml.Pre-registration is required. Mail registration must be received by Wednesday, September 22. To download an entry form, go to
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdforms/media/bluegill_flyer.doc.To request a registration form by mail, call (903) 670-2222.
You may register in person on the day of the event by going to the Anglers Pavilion at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center AFTER 9:00 a.m.
A $15 entry fee per team will be charged. The entry fee includes admission to TFFC. Fishing will take place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the weigh-in at the Anglers Pavilion at TFFC at 2:30.
For more information, contact Craig Brooks at (903) 670-2222.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Where: Lake Athens and Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Who: Adult/Child Teams
When: 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2010
How: Sign up by mail using the form below. Mail registration must be received by Wednesday, September 22. You may register in person on the day of the event by going to the Anglers Pavilion at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center AFTER 9:00 a.m. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Cost: $15 per team
Teams must consist of one adult 18 years of age or older and one child 17 years or younger. Fee includes entrance to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Note that anyone 17 years of age or older must have a fishing license to fish on Lake Athens; no one is required to have a license to fish in TFFC’s ponds and streams.
Rules:
• Anglers can weigh in only four fish per team.
• Total weight determines placement.
• Multiple teams can fish from same boat.
• All fish must come from Lake Athens or from TFFC’s ponds and streams.
• All fish will be weighed on certified scales by TPWD.
• In case of a tie, a coin toss will determine placement.
• Bluegill means all bream species. Only bream species are eligible to be weighed in.
• All Texas fish and game laws apply.
• Final weigh-in is at 2:30 p.m. at the Anglers Pavilion at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 F.M. 2495, Athens, Tx. For directions call (903) 676-2277 or go to
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/visit/information/.
