Questions about the program
The Fishing Club will meet on Saturday mornings throughout the Spring and Summer from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The registration fee covers a minimum of 8 weeks of fishing at private Wake and Harnett county ponds, a Fishing Club T-shirt, a cane pole and bait every week.
Members can also bring any of their own gear that they may have. If purchasing a pole it is recommended for younger fisherman to have the push button casting
reels rather than the flip casting reels. The push button casting reels are easier for beginners to handle.
Children under 8 are welcome to participate, but a parent must be present with them at all times.
Points will be awarded for each fish caught based on the type of fish it is. Each type of fish has an assigned point value. See JG when the season begins for the points awarded for each catch! We will keep track of the points so be sure to let JG know the number of fish caught and weight of the biggest fish for end of the season awards.
We have hanging scales on sight. They make for a very cool picture of you and your fish!
You will have the option to keep fish you catch, but always check with the fishing commissioner in case there are special rules for the pond from the owner.
Each pond has different rules on what they allow us to keep out
of their pond. You never have to keep fish, but it is a nice option to be able to take home what you caught that day for a fish fry! Catch and release will
count towards points. As long as you get the fish to the rocks it will count as a catch.
The fishing dates for the 2023 season are:
Ten Saturdays are scheduled for fishing. The time each Saturday is 7:00 AM to 11:00AM. You can arrive and start fishing at 7:00 AM or later, but we need to be cleaned up and done fishing at 11:00 AM each week. The awards ceremony is the last Saturday.
May 13th and 20th
June 3rd, 10th and 24th
July 8th, 22nd and 29th
August 5th and 12th
If you register for the Optimist Fishing Club you will receive the pond locations where we are fishing. They are privately owned ponds that are not open to the public, so we are very fortunate to be able to fish in them!