Pea Island Wildlife Refuge Hosts Fishing-Crabbing Rodeo

Posted By Matt Artz on June 8, 2015

You are invited to come join your friends and neighbors at the annual Fishing and Crabbing Rodeo, one of the most looked forward to events for families on the Outer Banks, happening on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

June is a special time to celebrate America’s Great Outdoors. National leaders for years have issued proclamations recognizing this month as Great Outdoors Month, a time when America celebrates its natural treasures. This recognition highlights the benefits of active fun outdoors.

“The Rodeo is a great way to introduce a child, relative, or friend to the fun activity of crabbing. This is the only day that North Pond, directly behind the Pea Island Visitor Center, is open to the public for crabbing and fishing,” said Bonnie Strawser, Visitor Services Manager for the wildlife refuge. The event is sponsored by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Billed as a family event, the fishing and crabbing outing attracts hundreds of young and young-at-heart trying their luck at netting, reeling in, capturing, or otherwise legally bringing home a seafood dinner.

“Though one of the focuses for this day is family fun in the great outdoors, the extra access allowed at North Pond on Saturday is strictly for fishing and crabbing. The pond will continue to be closed to paddling and other activities. We hope folks will come out and enjoy a morning of outdoor recreation on one of the prettiest national wildlife refuges in the whole system! We’re so blessed on the Outer Banks to have such wonderful and diverse natural resources. On this day, folks can catch what have to be some of the biggest crabs in the area,” Ms. Strawser said, noting that the North Pond is traditionally off limits to all but the migrating birds.

“We invite all participants to bring crab nets, fishing lines, rods, bait, tackle, and snacks/drinks and have a memorable day. Everyone will receive a flyer with crabbing regulations and must abide by these regulations.”

Persons needing further information are invited to call the Cindy Heffley, Visitor Services Specialist, at 252-475-4180 for more information.

“The purpose of the Fishing and Crabbing Rodeo is to give families an opportunity to come out and enjoy nature at its best in a prime setting,” Strawser said. “It also gives them an opportunity to visit Pea Island, a wildlife refuge that offers spectacular trails for viewing birds and other wildlife generally found in the area. The miles of ocean-front also enable families to enjoy the solitude of a beautiful beach on the Outer Banks.”