Photo Provided PEOPLE FISH at Barnesville Memorial Park’s Rotary Lake during a past Special Olympics Fishing Tournament organized by the Barnesville Rotary Club. The Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District is set to hold a free fishing program for 34 children on Saturday.

BARNESVILLE — A lucky 34 children will get the chance to learn the basics of fishing and receive a free pole and other gear during a free fishing lesson Saturday in Barnesville.

Hannah Carpenter, district program administrator with the Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District, said this is the first time the district has held this particular program. Since the spots filled up quickly, it may become an annual event.

The fishing lesson will take place at Barnesville Memorial Park’s lake starting at 10 a.m. Carpenter said the district had enough gear to allow 34 children to take part.

Each child will receive a free fishing pole, which they will use that day, a tackle box and other fishing supplies.

“I think the goal of it is to promote getting kids more involved in the outdoors and connected with nature,” she said. “The more they appreciate it, the more they will conserve it for everyone’s future enjoyment. That’s our whole purpose.”

Carpenter said the program allows children from all backgrounds to try out fishing.

“The kids love it,” she said, noting the district has held other fishing-related programs in the past.

Carpenter said the park’s lake contains mostly bluegill, but there are other species as well. The participants are likely to catch fish. The fish will then be released back into the lake.

The fishing program was funded via grants from the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the South Central Power Co.

The district’s summer programs are beginning to wind down now. Its first fall event will be participating in Boo at the Bike Trail in St. Clairsville on Oct. 26.