Sweet Arrow Lake County Park will be part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Statewide Mentored Youth Fishing Day on March 26. Fishing begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. for the one-day activity.

Craig Morgan, Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation and Sportsmen’s Advisory board member and event coordinator said the organizations plan to enhance the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions stocking of trout by adding $2,500 worth of “lunker” (16- to 24-inch) trout.

“Thanks to huge community support of the event last year we were able to continue to enhance the event this year as well,” Morgan said.

Last year the lake was filled with families enjoying the unseasonable warm temperatures and loads of trout were caught. This year, in addition to all kids receiving a gift, there will be some special prizes for those lucky enough to catch the heaviest trout. The heaviest three trout in three different age classes will each receive a quality rod and reel donated by Stony Gun and Archery except the two heaviest trout caught will receive free taxidermy mounts (not a rod and reel) courtesy of Brandyn Schimpf Wildlife Studio and John Verdensky for the second consecutive year.

The 501c3, nonprofit, Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation and partner Sportsmen’s Advisory Board encourages adults to take a kid fishing. Any youth under age 16, along with a licensed adult with a trout permit, may fish on March 26. However, the youth must have either a voluntary youth fishing license or a mentored youth fishing permit. The cost for the license is $2.90 plus costs. The youth voluntary license is free.

“We encourage mentors to purchase the license as the Fish and Boat Commission, through the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program, will receive about $5 for every license sold,” Morgan said.

Be sure to check out the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website for all the regulations.

It is so much easier for kids to fish a lake than trying to navigate streams and slippery banks. Boats with electric motors only are allowed on Sweet Arrow Lake as well. Kids may keep two trout and mentors may fish but must return all fish to the lake unharmed. Morgan’s advice to mentors is to leave the fishing to the kids.

Registration is not necessary for the Mentored Youth Day; however, a permit or license is necessary through a licensing agent or the web. Check-in is at the Fish and Boat Launch Pavilion for prizes. Refreshments will be available for purchase with all proceeds toward next year’s stockings.

In addition to the Mentored Youth Day, the groups mentioned above and sponsor Pioneer Pole Buildings are sponsoring the annual Betty Dietz and Bruce Schneck yearlong trout fishing event at Sweet Arrow Lake. In addition to all the fish stocked for the mentored day, an additional $10,000 worth of trout will be stocked with a $1,000, $750, $500, $500, $250, $250 and a minimum of 20 other $100 cash prizes, winnable if a tagged trout is caught.

Visit www.sweetarrowlakepark.com for more information. Registration information is also available at Werner’s Lumber Ace Hardware, Pine Grove and Stony Gun and Archery, Williamstown.