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How do you entertain hundreds of kids in the Hackensack area on Tuesdays throughout the summer? Hand them a fishing pole, give them a life vest to wear, then take them to the fishing pier on Birch Lake at the Hackensack City Park to participate in the Hackensack Children's Fishing Contest. The Children's Fishing Contest begins at 11 a.m., next Tuesday, June 19. The contest is held each Tuesday during the summer, and runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., each week.[[In-content Ad]]

Children in three age groups, 0-5; 6-9; and 10-15, compete against each other, with prizes awarded in each group for the first fish caught, the smallest fish, largest fish; and the most fish caught by one child. There is also awards given for the casting champ, minnow racing champ, and the grand champion fisher-person of the day.

There is more to the day that fishing. There is a minnow racing contest; casting contest, hot dogs, and fun for children and their adult chaperones.

In the contest's first 15 years, over 16,000 children have caught and released almost 50,000 fish. The fishing contest is made possible by a long list of sponsors and volunteers, led by the Hackensack Children's Fishing Contest Pied Piper, Bob Kennedy.

Children need only bring a life vest and a fishing pole, the Children's Fishing Contest will provide the bait and the fun.

For more information about the weekly fishing contest, go to wwwwww.hackcfc.com

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