BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — Children and families will head to Paintsville Lake for two days of fishing, education and outdoor activities as the annual Casting With Kids 2026 returns June 5-6 at Paintsville Lake State Park Marina.
Hosted in partnership with the Kent Rose Foundation, Casting for Kids and a long list of sponsors, the Paintsville event is billed as the nation’s largest free kids fishing tournament and features activities for children and families at no cost.
The Paintsville event is part of the organization’s 2026 tournament series, which also included events at Lake Cumberland and Yatesville/Paintsville lakes earlier this year. Top finishers from qualifying tournaments advance toward the Casting for Kids Classic scheduled Oct. 17-18 at Dayton Boat Ramp on Lake Chickamauga.
Friday, June 5 will feature “Evening to Shine,” a special needs event with registration beginning at 5 p.m. and the tournament starting at 6 p.m.
Friday also includes a sensory playground sponsored by Floyd County Tourism and adaptive equipment to help children enjoy the fishing experience.
Organizers said there will be free inflatables, water slides, food, drinks and prizes throughout the event.
Saturday’s activities begin with the Kylie’s Kids Foundation Kayak Tournament for participants ages 13-18. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Competition begins at 7 a.m. and continues through noon.
First place will receive a new kayak valued at approximately $3,000, while second- through fifth-place finishers will receive cash prizes.
The main children’s fishing tournament Saturday, Casting With Kids, is for ages 4-12. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with fishing beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until noon.
Every child in the main event will receive prizes based on age divisions: 4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9-10, 11 and 12. First through fifth place in each group will receive awards.
Participants in all fishing tournaments will receive an Ugly Stik fishing rod & reel, a T-shirt and a bag of toys.
Educational exhibits and activities are also part of the event.
“Life Below the Waterline,” a 2,200-gallon traveling freshwater aquarium, will allow children to observe fish species found in Paintsville Lake. Sponsor Kent Rose Foundation assured that fish in the exhibit will safely return to the lake following the event.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will bring its Mobile Science Activity Center to provide hands-on science experiences and children’s projects.
Meanwhile, Bassmaster Elite angler Matt Robertson will be a special guest.
Organizers said Lakeside Bait & Tackle will provide live bait for the tournament. That leaves children needing to bring only “a big smile.”
Numerous sponsors and supporters are helping to make the event possible.
Funds from the tournament will support Shriners-related causes.