HCWA hosting 5th annual Kids Fishing Day

    (Locust Grove, GA – April 15, 2026) The Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) and the Henry County Outdoor Education Partnership will be hosting the fifth annual Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day for 3- to 17-year-olds at the Longbranch Reservoir (adjacent to the Cubihatcha Center) on Saturday May 2.
    Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., when the gates of the Cubihatcha Center open, with fishing to follow at 7 a.m. The weigh-in for the biggest catches of the day will be held throughout the morning until 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided, when awards for the winners are presented at 11:30 a.m. However, families are free to fish until 2:30 p.m.
    In addition to offering free food, fellowship, and fishing to the public, the Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day also raises money for outdoor educational programs and events for local students and families.
    As an example, the contributions from generous individual and corporate sponsors of the Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day will allow the Henry County Outdoor Education Partnership to host annual field trips to the Cubihatcha Center this September for every third grader in Henry County Schools.
    The primary purpose of the Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day, however, is to encourage youth to participate in outdoor recreation and education, in addition to promoting physical and mental wellness.
    Admission to the event is free and no fishing license or HCWA reservoir use permits are required for families to participate. However, families should bring their own chairs, bait and tackle, although a limited supply of bait and fishing poles will be available for use by beginners. Access to the Long Branch Reservoir will be limited to fishing from the banks.
    In addition to awarding a trophy for the biggest catch of the day, regardless of age, the event will recognize the best catches within three age groups – 6 years old and under, as well as those kids 7 to 12 years old, and 13 to 17 years old.
    The participants will have access to two netted areas at the HCWA Long Branch Reservoir during the Kids Fishing Day. One will be stocked with catfish and the other with catfish and bluegill. The Long Branch Reservoir is located adjacent to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center at 100 Collins Road in Locust Grove. (Please note that there are two Collins Roads in Henry County. The Cubihatcha Center is located near Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary at 712 Locust Grove-Griffin Road.)
    For more information on the Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day and fishing throughout the 2026 season at HCWA reservoirs, please visit the Authority’s website at www.hcwa.com.




The 2026 Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day will be held on Saturday May 2, at the HCWA Long Branch Reservoir, which is adjacent to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove.








Caleb Keenan shows off his biggest catch at last year’s Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day. This year’s event will be held on Saturday May 2, at the HCWA Long Branch Reservoir, which is adjacent to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove.


















Kids from ages 3 to 17 enjoy last year’s Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day at the HCWA Long Branch Reservoir. This year’s event will be held on Saturday May 2.