Public Invited to Castle Rocks Fishing Pond and Archery Course Dedication

Dedication ceremonies for Castle Rocks State Park's new fishing pond and 3-D archery range will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27. All park entrance fees have been waived for the day's events. Directors of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and Idaho Department of Fish and Game will provide short presentations to start the celebration, with fishing, archery and variety of other activities for the entire family to follow. Fish and Game worked closely with Idaho Parks and Recreation on engineering and design of the fishing pond and provided funding for the water delivery system and archery range. The Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation and Idaho State Bowhunters also provided additional funding. Anglers of all ages are invited to try their luck and no fishing license will be required during the special event. Fish and Game will stock the 1.4 acre pond with 750 trout, and the "Take Me Fishing" trailer will be on site with loaner rods available for use. Prizes will be awarded for the first fish caught in various categories. An exhibition of archery skills will be conducted by members of the Idaho State Bowhunters starting at 1:30 p.m., with the 14-station archery course opening to the public at 3 p.m. Various information booths by various organization and agencies will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with organized kid lawn activities and hikes to pictographs available. To raise funds for school and civic activities, local organizations will offer a Dutch oven lunch at noon. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, or $29 for the family. To reach Castle Rocks State Park from Twin Falls, take Interstate 84 to exit 245 and head west toward Malta. Turn left (south) onto Idaho Highway 81 for 0.2 miles to Idaho Highway 77, then right (west). At Connor Creek Junction, turn left (west) onto the Elba-Almo Highway for 1.4 miles to the park entrance. For more information regarding the day's events, contact park manager Wallace Keck at 208-824-5911 or wallace_keck@partner.nps.gov.