<p>Curious about fishing but apprehensive about making an up-front investment for a license and equipment?</p>
<p>The Greenwood Parks and Recreation Department and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are offering an opportunity for families to take a test drive.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Freedom Park will host the community’s first Free Family Fishing Derby, part of a statewide effort by the DNR to introduce fishing to more Indiana residents, especially children.</p>
<p>The retention pond at the southwest corner of the park will be open to anyone that wants to give fishing a try. There will be a registration tent set up, where the DNR will have poles and live bait available for use by anyone who doesn’t have their own.</p>
<p>Fishermen can set up on the bank of the pond and take a shot at catching a bluegill or largemouth bass. All fishing on Saturday will be catch and release, but participants do not need a license to take part in the event.</p>
<p>Nick Schwab of Greenwood Parks and Recreation says that some staff members went out on the pond for a test run last week and had some success.</p>
<p>"They were biting pretty good," he said.</p>
<p>The derby will run from 1 to 3 p.m., with registration set to begin at 12:30 p.m. There is no cost to participate.</p>
