RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Young anglers lined the shore of Lake Clementia under overcast skies as the Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta hosted its annual Joe Mazzoni Sr. Memorial Kids Fishing Day, a community tradition that continues to draw families and volunteers together.

About 67 children registered for the free event, joined by parents, siblings and grandparents for a morning of fishing, instruction and friendly competition. The cloudy weather proved ideal, helping keep fish active as youngsters cast their lines in hopes of landing a prize-winning trout.

The lake had been stocked with 500 pounds of rainbow trout ahead of the event, giving participants plenty of chances to reel in a catch. Volunteers were on hand throughout the morning to help bait hooks, offer tips and assist at the fish-cleaning station. Kiwanian Bill Kinney organized the annual event. 

This year, a $500 grant from the Rancho Murieta Garden Club was used to purchase fishing poles, expanding access for children who did not have their own gear. 

In keeping with the Kiwanis mission, all equipment and participation were provided at no cost to families. 

Behind the scenes, Rancho Murieta Association Maintenance crews played a key role in preparing the site. Staff installed a net in the swimming area to help contain the fish, after Patrick Chand completed repairs to ensure it was ready for use. Maintenance also supplied the barbecue, tables and chairs used for the popular hot dog lunch.

Community support extended beyond Kiwanis. In a social media post, Kiwanian Bronwyn Anthony thanked the Rancho Murieta Garden Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other partners for contributing to the event’s success. 

Throughout the morning, children proudly showed off their catches, with volunteers weighing fish and helping to clean them for families to take home. Prizes were awarded for the largest fish. Zoey Covington won in Girls Division with a 2.34-pound fish, Lee Clelland in the Boys Division with a 2.8-pound fish.

Photos from the day show smiling participants holding their trout, families gathered along the shoreline and volunteers guiding first-time anglers through the basics: scenes that reflect the event’s purpose as much as its outcomes. 

Organizers said the goal goes beyond a single morning of fishing. 

“It’s about getting kids outside and introducing them to something they can enjoy for a lifetime,” one organizer noted in materials from the event.