Anneberg Park closed for annual Kid’s Fishing Derby

Jerry Dishman Lake in Frank Anneberg Park will be closed from today until Saturday. The City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department has closed the lake for the annual Kids' Fishing Derby taking place Thursday-Saturday.

Officially, the lake will close at 8 a.m. today and will reopen to the public at 3 p.m. Saturday.

"The fishing actually starts on Saturday, but we close the lake a couple of days ahead of time to make sure that all the fish do not get caught," said Eddie Eastes, parks superintendent. "But once the derby is over [Saturday evening], everyone can have at it."

Eastes said that each year the city secures fish to stock the pond and provides staff jointly with the Tuttle Creek Lake Association. In all, more than 3,000 pounds of catfish will be stocked in the lake on Thursday morning.

Due to the high volume of fishing that occurs at the lake, the community benefits each year from the leftover fish that are stocked before each year's derby.

The 15th Annual Kids' Fishing Derby at Dishman Lake provides children the opportunity to fish in a learning environment and apply what they learned on their own at the lake. On Friday evening, all those signed up will meet at the Susan B. Anthony Middle School, where six different educational stations will be set up.

"We provide all the tackle, bait and a pole to each child, and that's theirs to keep forever," said Leo Schell, former president of the association. "We have dozens of volunteers and some of the best [fishermen] in the Midwest on hand to help the kids."

Schell also encouraged parents to get involved with the event.

"We feel this should be a family event, for quality family time; this is very important to us," Schell said.

Following the derby, there will be seven trophies given out, and $50 will accompany each of those awards.

The event is the last project of the year for the association. The group receives sponsorships from businesses in the city of Manhattan and as far away as Wamego. A free lunch will be provided on Saturday, courtesy of the local Masonic Lodge, for all who attend.

"It's good to see people catch their first fish; the expression on their face is irreplaceable," said Todd Lovin, Tuttle Creek State Park manager. Lovin has volunteered in the event multiple times and said he enjoys sharing his joy of fishing with the children who attend.

"This is a really great thing for the community to do to promote kids to get outside more," Lovin said.