FWP "Kids to Fish" Program Allows Anglers to Borrow Gear & Tackle for Free

A popular Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 6 program that allows kids and their friends or families to check out free fishing rods and tackle is in full swing again this year.

In time for summer fishing, FWP staff has restocked and maintained over 350 fishing rods in most all the 43 different location sites across Montana’s Hi-Line. The “Kids to Fish” program lets anglers check out fishing rods and reels and use basic tackle, such as hooks, bobbers, and sinkers. Typically, eight rods are at each location, and usually a tackle box is available to borrow/use the available tackle.

Marc Kloker, FWP Region 6 Information and Education Program Manager, runs the program. “Although it takes quite a bit of time and effort to replace, maintain, and travel around to all the loaner locations, I think it’s worth it if it gets someone out fishing who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity,” says Kloker.

Tate Langel, a summer education specialist with FWP’s Montana WILD, has given Kloker a hand this summer in fixing up and distributing rods. “Just because someone doesn’t have a fishing rod doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to go fishing,” Langel said. “And whether it’s a cousin in town that wants to go along and needs a rod, or an extra pole is needed for catfishing on the Milk River, we want as many kids as possible to go out and fish and enjoy themselves.”

“We had one family who checked out a dozen rods to use at their kid’s birthday party, and they had a blast,” says Kloker. “This equipment is for anybody who needs some extra gear.”

FWP appreciates all the locations that display a rack of these fishing rods, and they are the reason the program has been so successful. “The many business owners and organizations who participate in the program deserve special thanks,” adds Kloker. “They’re helping a lot of kids have fun on the water this summer.”

The sturdy loaner rods come already rigged with bobbers, split-shot and hooks. Anglers are expected to sign out the equipment at the site and return it in good working order. Kloker reminds folks that these rods are to be brought back to the loaner location, even if damaged. “We really want these poles brought back to their location sites,” says Kloker. “The next kid that comes along should also have a chance to fish.”

If poles are continually lost or stolen, the program will need to make the necessary changes and location sites may be removed. In addition, some sites that haven’t seen much use have had their poles removed and taken elsewhere with more opportunities.

More than 350 of these fishing rods are available to be checked out from the outlets by individuals, families, organizations, church groups and schools. If anyone is looking to check out a large number of rods (over 20) for a particular event, please contact either the Glasgow or Havre FWP offices and they will get you set up. If there are any questions about the program or if you are interested in having poles available at other locations in your community, please contact Kloker at 406-228-3704.

Fishing rods and tackle are currently available to check out at these locations. Locations can also be found on the Region 6 webpage on fwp.mt.gov.

BAINVILLE

•Welcome Stop

BIG SANDY

•The Grocery Store

BROCKTON

•B & S Quick Stop

CHESTER

•Liberty Quick Stop

CHINOOK

•Finley’s Food Farm

CIRCLE

•Circle Country Market

CULBERTSON

•Val-Am

•Hometown Market

FLAXVILLE

•PRO CO-OP

FORT BELKNAP AGENCY

•Kwik Stop

FORT PECK

•Downstream (Kiwanis) Campground

•Fort Peck Fish Hatchery

•Lakeridge Motel & Tackle Shop

•Fort Peck Marina

•Fort Peck Interpretive Center

•Rock Creek Marina

FRAZER

•School

FROID

•Froid Grocery

GLASGOW

•FWP Region 6 headquarters

•City-County Library

•Cottonwood Inn

•Ezzie’s West End Conoco

•Glasgow Recreation Department

•Shady Rest RV Park

HARLEM

•EZ Mart store

HAVRE AREA

•FWP Havre Office

•Stromberg’s Sinclair

•Hill County Library

•Quality Life Concepts

HINSDALE

•Sweet memories

LOMA

•Midway Mercantile (Across from Ma’s Loma Cafe)

MALTA

•Phillips County Library

•Westside Conoco Convenience Store

MEDICINE LAKE

•Lake Pit Stop store

NASHUA

•B&B Foods

OPHEIM

•Pro Co-Op

PEERLESS

•Dutch Henry’s Club

PLENTYWOOD

•Sheridan County Library

•Plentywood Hardware

SACO

•Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs

SCOBEY

•PRO CO-OP

•Hometown Hardware

WOLF POINT

•EC sports