Bobbers, worms, a bunch of hungry bluegills and kids.

Toss in a little bit of education on the outdoors provided by Wings of Wonder, and the result is a day of fun for families in Leelanau County.

(Webmaster's note: See related story on Wings of Wonder Saturday programs.)

The third annual Kids Fishing Day is set for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the former Veronica Valley golf course on Co. Rd. 641. The guys putting on the event are about excited as the “fisher kids.”

Jim Kacin has a previous commitment that will take him downstate Saturday night, but he’ll be there early Sunday morning to help prepare for the kids.

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” said Kacin, who will also bring a display of frogs and turtles, including a big snapper turtle, to keep the fisher folks occupied when not attached to a fishing pole.

The annual event is being billed by the Lake Leelanau Lake Association as more than a chance to catch fish, said Pete Taylor, chair of the fish committee. He was instrumental in beginning Kids Fishing Day in 2005, and has watched it grow into a fun outing for the entire family.

Rebecca Lessard of Empire, who established the non-profit organization Wings of Wonder, this year will be showing live raptors native to Leelanau County under a big tent on the property.

“I think she will be a great draw,” said Taylor, who is expecting the biggest turnout yet for the event. “I figured we had 450 people last year all together, and most of them were kids. A lot of mothers came with 2-3 kids.”

Some reasons: the ponds at the former golf course are ideal for beginners, worms will be provided, a limited number of fishing poles will be available, and volunteers will be on hand to untangle lines and bait hooks as needed.

“It’s the first time that a lot of these kids have had a chance to go fishing,” explained Taylor. “I think the fact that they all can catch fish and the action is generally good is a big plus. Anybody who has taken young kids fishing knows their attention span is short.”

Some 1,000 fish will be planted on the site, which is being sold by the Grant family to Leelanau County for use as a park. The majority will be 5- to 7-inch bluegills, with quite a few 14 to 16-inch rainbow trout thrown in.

The Lake Association is asking participants to limit the number of fish they keep to spread out opportunities.

The loose-knit umbrella group putting on the event will also be providing free hot dogs and soft drinks — and some hand wipes to keep a tolerable separation between fishing and eating.

The association has teamed with area non-profit groups, local and state governments and the Leelanau Enterprise to put on the event. Other sponsors include the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Cedar Rod and Gun Club, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Leelanau County Sheriff’s Youth League, Leelanau County Parks and Recreation Commission, and a group of sportsmen working to encourage hunting and fishing by youth called CHUCK,
Bill and Diane Grant, who owned and operated Veronica Valley golf course, have again provided use of their land to allow young people to fish. No fishing license will be required of participants because the property is still private.

Eventually, though, through a grant from the Michigan Land Use Trust Fund, the site will become a county park. Taylor said county park commissioners appear eager to continue the kids fishing event — and perhaps keep the ponds open year-round for the benefit of young fisher people.

“They were very receptive to that at the meeting they invited me to,” said Taylor.