Dozens of families flocked to the Walnutport Canal for a fun fishing workshop on Saturday.

Despite the blazing heat, plenty of amateur and seasoned fishermen and women came out to test the waters.

Mike Kukitz, executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority, said that the event brought out plenty of people looking to bond over the activity.

“We’re fortunate to work with a bunch of great people, and the Walnutport Canal Association opened their doors for us to have the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission come down to teach some families how to fish. Mothers, fathers, kids, grandparents, everybody, we had a great mix of people coming down and learning everything from the basics — types of fish, how to tie a knot, how to bait a hook and what to do when you get that fish on the hook,” he said.

Environmental education specialist Andrew Desko, who works with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Bureau of Boating and Outreach, said that the commission developed the program to promote more youth involvement in fishing throughout the region.

“This is our lesson plan, the family fishing program, and it’s a four-hour introductory program with the goal of getting the family demographic interested in fishing. It’s great for people who are new to the sport, and we also like to ‘reactivate’ anglers. Once in a while, we get grandparents who haven’t fished in a while, but they want to get the grandkids involved,” he said.

Desko said that the lessons fell under “fishing 101,” encompassing most of the general information one needs to know when it comes to fishing throughout the state. Topics included fish identification, regulations, knot tying, casting, equipment, setting a hook-and-release fish.

“We also talked a little about the ethics, about being SMART anglers — safety, manners, appreciating clean waters, releasing your catch and teaching others to be smart anglers as well,” Desko said.

Robert Burkit brought his daughter Julianne out to the canal to fit in some fishing time before the heat became too punishing.

“We wanted to come out and learn some new fishing techniques, and to teach her to tie knots,” Burkit said. “It’s a good event to get the kids outdoors. We did have a couple bites, even if it is too hot to be fishing.”

Owen Uhler and his father, Jim, said that they had not hit the waters in awhile, and that it was great to get a refresher course.

“It was OK, and it was nice to relax a little bit,” Owen said as he took a break in the shade. “We learned to tie some knots, and we learned about a couple of different fish.”

Desko said that any families interested in fishing can get additional information from the commission’s website, www.fishandboat.com, and from local tackle shops that carry free fishing guides.

Kukitz said that he hopes to make the fishing clinic an annual event, as the canal provides a perfect setting to train the next generation of fishermen and women.

“What could you not love about fishing? It’s enjoying the outdoors, enjoying nature and relaxing. It’s a great, inexpensive sport, and a great way to have fun. You can’t beat it,” he said.