Approximately 40 excited kids between the ages of 8 & 12 years of age participated in the 31st annual Junior Police Fishing Derby at Detroit Lake today.
The kids came from single-parent families in Linn and Marion counties, and for many it was their first chance to go fishing and catch a fish!
Law enforcement personnel from the Stayton, Salem and Aumsville Police Departments, Oregon State Police and Marion & Linn County Sheriff's Office traded their gun belts and bullet-proof vests for fishing poles, hooks and worms to fish with the kids.
The event was co-sponsored by the above agencies, and supported by generous donations of food, equipment and prizes from local businesses. Every child was provided a 'T' shirt, a hot dog lunch and a soft drink. Bus transportation to and from the lake was also provided.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife added to the kid's enjoyment by planting approximately 5,000 rainbow trout near the Hoover campground boat ramp minutes before the start of the derby. Everyone participating caught their limit of five rainbow trout.
Volunteers were kept busy cleaning and packing the fish so the kids could take them home to share with their families.
Marion County Sheriff's Volunteer Coordinator Doc Nelson observed, "We had a great day on the lake. The weather cooperated, lots of fish were caught, and the kids had an opportunity to get to know some of the men and women of law enforcement in Marion and Linn Counties".
To learn more about the annual Junior Police Fishing Derby, contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office Community Relations Unit at 503.588.7981.
The kids came from single-parent families in Linn and Marion counties, and for many it was their first chance to go fishing and catch a fish!
Law enforcement personnel from the Stayton, Salem and Aumsville Police Departments, Oregon State Police and Marion & Linn County Sheriff's Office traded their gun belts and bullet-proof vests for fishing poles, hooks and worms to fish with the kids.
The event was co-sponsored by the above agencies, and supported by generous donations of food, equipment and prizes from local businesses. Every child was provided a 'T' shirt, a hot dog lunch and a soft drink. Bus transportation to and from the lake was also provided.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife added to the kid's enjoyment by planting approximately 5,000 rainbow trout near the Hoover campground boat ramp minutes before the start of the derby. Everyone participating caught their limit of five rainbow trout.
Volunteers were kept busy cleaning and packing the fish so the kids could take them home to share with their families.
Marion County Sheriff's Volunteer Coordinator Doc Nelson observed, "We had a great day on the lake. The weather cooperated, lots of fish were caught, and the kids had an opportunity to get to know some of the men and women of law enforcement in Marion and Linn Counties".
To learn more about the annual Junior Police Fishing Derby, contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office Community Relations Unit at 503.588.7981.