NYC Parks Uses Fishing Lesson to Teach Residents about Ecology of area waterways

A fun day fishing was used as an opportunity to teach local residents about the ecology of area waterways.

The NYC Parks Department hosted a morning of freshwater fishing on Sunday at Clove Lakes Park.

"It gives them an opportunity to do something that they don't normally do. Some of them it's their first time fishing. So it's really fun to turn people on to fishing and get them interested in nature that way," explained Andrew Calise, an Urban Park Ranger for NYC Parks.

Residents had the opportunity to catch and release small catfish and blue gil sun fish.

During the event attendees also learned about the ethics of fishing and about local waterways.

The event was free and the Parks Department provided the equipment.