MBRC, MDC partner on fun fishing day at Combs Lake

The Missouri Regional Bootheel Consortium, Inc., along with Fatherhood First, will have a community event this Saturday.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon at Jerry P. Combs Lake in the Little

River Conservation Area, followed by lunch until 1 p.m.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is serving as a co-sponsor.

MBRC chief executive officer Cynthia Dean said the event is an “opportunity to spend the day outdoors.”

“For some kids, they will be fishing for the first time,” Dean added.

For Dean, one of her favorite elements of the day is seeing a child's face light up with excitement after reeling in his or her first fish.

In addition to fishing, there also will be an archery wing and the MDC also will be providing boat rides. The department of conservation also will have a safety program.

The Missouri Armory National Guard and local emergency medical technicians will have programs as well, Dean reported.

“It's a great opportunity for kids to get outside,” said regional MDC conservation agent Eric Heuring. “We want to give them an experience they will enjoy.”

Heuring said he expects hundreds of visitors for this fishing day, which also will shine the spotlight on Combs Lake itself.

Combs Lake, covering 150 acres, is open year round. The lake receives fish stocks through the conservation office.

Heuring reported the lake is teeming with the following fish: bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish.

The conservation office will have prizes for the biggest fish caught and for the child who picks up the most trash. The top prize will be fishing equipment.

The MBRC, Inc., will have a limited amount of loaner fishing poles available. Adults and children are encouraged to bring their own equipment.

In addition, the MBRC, Inc., Board of Directors are conducting a prize drawing.

Get drawing tickets for $1 each or six for $5. Entrants must be at least 18 years old. But, they don't need to be present to win.

The top prize is $500 cash, with a laptop computer second prize, a Smart TV third prize and an anonymous $100 gift card fourth.

There also will be free refreshments and music provided. Breakfast snacks will be distributed during registration.

For information, call the MRBC, Inc., office at 1-573-471-9400 or toll-free at 1-888-317-4949 or log onto the website: www.mbrcinc.org.

PICK-UP LOCATIONS

Transportation to the fishing day will be provided at these designated sites:

7:30 a.m., Mississippi County, Bowden Center, 700 Sy Williams, Charleston

8 a.m.: Scott County: Sikeston MBRC, Inc., Central Office, 903 S. Kingshighway, Suite A

8:15 a.m.: New Madrid, New Madrid Family Resource Center, 420 Virginia Avenue

8:15 a.m.: Portageville, Casey's General Store, 101 East Highway 162

8:15 a.m., Malden, Malden Community Center, 807 N. Douglass Street

8:30 a.m., Caruthersville, Diane Sayre Recreation Center, 1500 Harry Street

8:30 a.m., Hayti, Dollar Tree, 908 Truman Boulevard

Community resource representatives will be available.

DIRECTIONS

Combs Lake is located off United States Highway 412/Missouri State Route 84, five miles east of downtown Kennett.

There are signs located along the side of the road pointing drivers to the Little River Conversation Area and Combs Lake, which is located on City Line Road.

The lake is one mile north on City Line Road (which also is numbered 299 on Google Maps).