MEADVILLE — The Homochitto National Forest will host its 2013 Kids Fishing Day from approximately 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Clear Springs recreational area.

Bill Meriwether, wildlife biologist at Homochitto National Forest, said the event is free for children up to 16 years old, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will provide 500 to 1,000 pounds of catfish for the recreation area’s lake.

“They’ll put the catfish in, and we’ll keep it closed (to fishing) until the event, then we’ll open it up for all to fish,” Meriwether said.

Adults are asked to accompany their children and provide them with lunch, bait, poles, lawn chairs, sunscreen and insect repellant. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and children will receive a T-shirt upon registering. Depending on how many contributions the event receives, Meriwether said they may provide the youth with extra goodies and prizes. No pre-registration is required.

Meriwether said the event, which has been going on for more than 20 years, was started to help get local youth interested in fishing and the outdoors in general.

“From our perspective, they enjoy it, and the parents seem to enjoy it as well,” he said. “There’s no guarantee on catching the fish, but that’s just part of fishing. Some years are better than others, but most of the time, everyone seems to catch an adequate number of fish.”

The event will feature a casting contest, where children will try to cast bait into a circle at a set distance. Prizes for the largest fish and most fish caught will also be handed out. Meriwether said everyone is welcomed to stay and fish after the event wraps up.

For more information, call Meriwether at 601-384-5876.