Free youth fishing clinics coming up

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will offer a series of free youth catch-and–release fishing clinics at Cache River State Natural Area, Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center.

The clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays June 9, June 30 and July 7. The clinics are for ages 16 and younger, but anyone interested in learning basic fishing techniques may attend.

Instructors will discuss fish and other aquatic life, fishing rules and regulations, and basic instructions on baiting a hook, tying a knot and casting, tactics for catching fish, and how to handle and return fish to the water.

Participants may bring their own equipment, or they will be provided with rods, reels, bait and tackle for 90 minutes of catch-and-release fishing. Parents and other adults are not required to have a fishing license to assist during this program.

Register in advance by calling the Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064.