By Mary Stewart | The Selma Times-Journal

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Alabama River Lakes are excited to welcome kids to their 23rd annual Kids Catfish Rodeo.

The co-sponsors of the rodeo are the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, and the entire event will be free of charge.

Park ranger John Williams said he is excited to be able to put on the rodeo again this year.

Local kids, ages 15 and under, will get the chance to go fishing for catfish this Saturday.

Each child is required to be accompanied by an adult.

“(The adults) are responsible for teaching that child how to fish, how to reel one in and take them off the hook,” Williams said. “They keep all the fish that they catch.”

The event will be held at a pond on the Lowndes County Wildlife Management Area from 7:30-11 a.m.

“We are expecting a nice crowd to come to the event,” Williams said. “In the past, we have had over a 100 people.”

Park rangers encourage everyone to come out but don’t forget to bring your own bait and pole.

Williams said the excitement of catching a fish never goes away, and that is why they are able to do this event every year.

“It’s just that thrill you get when you hook that fish, and you see that bobber go under,” he said.

“Some kids probably have never been fishing, so this is an opportunity for them to be with their parents or guardians and to show them how to fish. It’s just a good family event.”

To get to the pond from Selma, take Highway 80 East to County Road 23 North in White Hall. Travel to County Road 40 West and take a left turn. Follow the signs and take a right on Henderson Road. Next, continue to follow the signs to the pond.

If you want more information about the catfish rodeo, call (334) 872-9554.