Camp Fish to Be Held at Mississippi’s Turcotte Education Center

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) is hosting Camp Fish 2013 at the Turcotte Education Center in Madison County. The camp will be held June 17-20 and is open to kids ages 11 to 15. The camp’s purpose is to introduce Mississippi’s youth to fisheries conservation, management, and sport fishing.

“The camp is much more than kids going fishing,” said MDWFP Fisheries Bureau Assistant Director Larry Pugh.”Classroom discussions and hands-on exercises led by MDWFP fisheries biologists will help students gain a better understanding of fish, fishing, and fisheries management.”

Youth ages 11-15 are encouraged to apply. Because of limited space, only 25 applicants will be accepted for the camp. Camp applications can be downloaded at http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating.aspx. Deadline for applications will be June 5, 2013.  All applications will be ranked by quality and content of the essays. Participants will be notified if they were selected by June 10, 2013. Return completed applications to: MDWFP Camp Fish 2013, Attention: Larry Pugh, 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211. For more information about MDWFP Camp Fish, contact Larry Pugh at (601) 432-2200 or larry.pugh@mdwfp.state.ms.us.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).