Despite the wind, rain and cold temperatures, the 8th Annual Kid Fish was held as planned at Fort Boggy State Park on Saturday, February 22nd and was still enjoyed by those that came out to participate.
Braving the weather were 58 pre-registered children and 5 walk-ins with 37 for the morning session and 26 for the afternoon session. As in the past, Lake Sullivan was stocked with rainbow trout – 3,000 this time.
After each session checked in and pre-registered kids received their t-shirts, Heather Mott, our Park Interpreter, welcomed everyone and explained the activities to follow. From there the young anglers attended five educational mini-clinics on topics including Fish ID, Fish Habitat, Environment and Safety, Knot Tying and Casting. All participants then proceeded down to the lake to receive their free rod and reel (provided by Zebco), bait and goodie bag and go fishing for the remainder of the session. Despite the cold and rain, a few fish couldn’t resist the baits being offered and were caught by our able anglers.
Each Kid Fish participant received a commemorative 2025 Fort Boggy State Park Kid Fish bag tag in their goodie bag and coupons for a free ice cream courtesy of DQ Pratt, Inc. and a free small shave ice from Shuga Shack.
We were also able to provide a large tank, donated by Inland Fisheries, which we stocked with trout for those children ages 4 years and younger to fish in, as well as a craft activity and duck pond game.
A nice addition this year was the lunch provided to all attendees courtesy of Atmos Energy. Their volunteers worked diligently through the cold and rain to serve up hot dogs to everyone that came out to brave the challenging weather.
With over 60 participants and their families from as far away as League City and Frisco (north of Dallas), not only was the park enjoyed by families from the local communities of Leon County, but also by those from a range of cities and towns around the state.
Many family members brought their own fishing gear and enjoyed the day alongside their young anglers. That’s what this event is about – not only teaching our youth how to fish, but providing an opportunity for the entire family to get out and enjoy the outdoors and nature’s many benefits.
Fort Boggy State Park and the Friends of Fort Boggy State Park would like to thank all the volunteers that came out to help make the event a success and extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing sponsors that donated, both monetarily and with in-kind donations.
Without them, this event would not be possible. Our sponsors are:
PLATINUM: Two Rivers Wildlife Alliance, Inc.
GOLD: Carlton Coffman Farms; Centerville Economic Development, Kline’s Adventures; Limestone Project Employees’ Fund/PositiveNRG/NRG Energy Limestone Plant, Nucor Steel Texas, Woody’s Smokehouse, Inc. Northbound and Zebco
SILVER: Caryn Thompson CPA PA, Kenneth R. Schroeder LLC and State Bank of Jewett
BRONZE: Ace Hardware of Madisonville, Buffalo Economic Development Corp., C&C Artworks, William & Gretchen Carnahan, Centerville Feed & Supply, Circle T Realty, Cornerstone Market and Cafe, Houston County Electric Cooperative, Patrick & Diana LeBlanc, Leona General Store, Marquez Economic Development Corp., Mars Wrigley, Normangee State Bank, Pecan Grove Cafe, Pruitt’s Cleaners, Stitches and Lil’ Britches, The Bank of Madisonville, Wakefield Insurance Agency & RVOS #128, Walters Funeral Home, Walters Insurance Agency and Woodson Lumber & Hardware
We also gratefully appreciate the additional monetary and in-kind donations from Buffalo Chapter #157 O.E.S., Citizens State Bank, Community National Bank & Trust, Inland Fisheries and Resurrection Hill Farms. And a big Thank You to the crew from Atmos Energy who cooked and served lunch to all participants and their families.
Thank you again to all the young anglers and their families that came out to participate, the volunteers and park staff that donated their time and energy and our generous sponsors who make this all possible.
We look forward to more cooperative weather in 2026 for the 9th Annual Kid Fish and the opportunity to invite families to come out and enjoy the park as we continue to provide kids a chance to learn about fishing, Fort Boggy State Park and the great outdoors.
For more information about being a volunteer or an active member of “The Friends of Fort Boggy State Park” contact the Friends Group at friendsoffortboggy@gmail.com or call 903-907-0329.The Friends of Fort Boggy is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Fort Boggy State Park in the conservation of its natural resources and assisting with special events at the park.
