Photo Provided Children fish in the lake at Olney Friends School in this photo taken from the Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District Facebook page. The SWCD is holding a Passport to Fishing event on July 12 to help teach aspiring anglers about fishing in Ohio.

BARNESVILLE — With the Ohio River and an abundance of creeks, lakes and other water sources in the area, fishing is a popular summertime activity for many Ohio Valley residents.

The sport isn’t really that complicated, but knowing some basic tips and guidelines can help maximize the fun on any fishing trip. That’s why the Belmont Soil and Water Conservation district plans to hold a program designed to help teach children how to make the most out of a day of angling.

The Passport to Fishing program will be held July 12 at Olney Friends School in Barnesville. The SWCD is hosting the event, which is being sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration. The point of the class is to teach aspiring anglers some tips of the trade: casting, safety, fishing knots and rigging, fish habitats and handling, Ohio and local fishing regulations, identifying different species of fish and how to properly read a map. All of these skills can add up to help people enjoy their experience, and maybe help them land the big one. After all, knowing different facts about fish species and where they like to hide can certainly be useful if one is looking for a certain species for dinner or a trophy.

The Belmont SWCD is a division of the state of Ohio dedicated to helping “educate and assist present and future land users in the wise use of our soil and water resources.” The district is funded by both Belmont County commissioners and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The SWCD regularly holds events like the Passport to Fishing to help both children and adults learn more about the environment and gain an appreciation for nature in the local area.

The Passport to Fishing program is open to anyone who is interested in coming out and learning some more about fishing in Ohio and some of the regulations regarding the sport. The program will take place from 9 a.m. to noon July 12 at Olney Friends School, 61830 Sandy Ridge Road, Barnesville. Participants under 17 years old can receive a free fishing pole as a reward for completing the program; participants older than 16 must bring a valid Ohio fishing license. Anyone with any questions on the program can contact Belmont SWCD at 740-526-0027.