Sykes Hosts Fishing Clinic for Youth

This week, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), resumed his annual fishing clinic at Portage Lakes Fishing Area.

Nearly thirty children from the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio and the Akron Area YMCA attended the fishing clinic at Portage Lakes. There, these children were able to view and learn about electrofishing, casting, and using fishing poles; paint and create fish-related artwork; and test out their own fishing skills at the reservoirs on the lake. 

"This event provided young people with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and get connected with nature," Sykes said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to resume my partnership with ODNR and bring back this long-standing tradition of taking youth in my district and exposing them to the great outdoors.”

Paused by the pandemic, this is the first fishing clinic that Sykes and ODNR have hosted since 2019. The partnership between Sykes and ODNR which puts on this fishing clinic dates back to his time as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

“I hope the children learn that nature is for them and that they keep their love of the outdoors. Most of all, I hope they keep on fishing.”