Fish Prospect Park: Annual Contest Coming Up

Get your tackle out of the closet and head down to Ye Olde Bait Shoppe (find some of your Brooklyn locations here) because it's time to fish in Prospect Park. Meaning that the 60th Annual Macy’s Fishing Contest will be upon us from July 18-22. The Prospect Park people say:

A rite of passage for Brooklyn kids since 1947, the R. H. Macy’s Fishing Contest uses the fun sport of fishing to teach kids about aquatic ecology. Prizes will be awarded daily to those who haul in the big catches from Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake. Before casting their lines, all participants attend a free, fun and educational workshop led by Prospect Park Audubon Center educators and the Urban Park Rangers.

The kickoff/opening ceremony of the fishing fest is July 18 at 11:30 AM at the Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse. This will involve Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn Cyclones mascot Sandy the Seagull tossing a largemouth bass dubbed R.H. Macy into the water. The lucky angler that hooks R.H. Macy gets a family fishing trip on a boat from Sheepshead Bay! Daily contest hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. There are no rain dates. The competition is open to children 15 years and younger. Individuals can sign-up at the contest. Groups of 10 or more must call (718) 287-3400 x 114 to register. Admission is free and equipment and instruction is provided. For more information, click here.