Photos: Cedar Rapids police and Iowa DNR youth fishing event

Cedar Rapids police and Iowa Department of Natural Resources team up to host a youth fishing event at Robbins Lake

Jul. 21, 2025 4:08 pm, Updated: Jul. 22, 2025 8:42 am

Children under the age of 15 were encouraged to visit Robbins Lake on Monday for an opportunity to fish with Cedar Rapids police and Iowa Department of Natural Resources officers. Officers taught children how to fish, answered general fishing questions and unhooked fish after they were caught. The DNR provided fishing rods and bait and did not require a fishing license for youth participants. Cedar Rapids police officer Josh Carter said this was the largest event since the program started last year.

Cedar Rapids police officer Shawn Burke shows Andy Clayton, 5, of Vinton how to cast a line during a youth fishing event Monday at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids. This is the second youth fishing event of the year hosted by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The outing allows children under the age of 15 to learn how to fish with equipment provided by the DNR. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids police officer Shawn Burke adds a hook to a rod for a child Monday during a youth fishing event at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids. Burke says he has been fishing since he was a child and has participated in this fishing event three times. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Andy Clayton, 5, of Vinton, smiles Monday as he watches his line while fishing with a Cedar Rapids police officer. Andy’s father said this was a great opportunity for his son to learn more about fishing. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Police officer Josh Carter holds the bluegill he helped Quincy Rasmussen, 4, of Anamosa catch during a youth fishing event at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids police officer Josh Carter smiles as he talks with Quincy Rasmussen, 4, of Anamosa, while fishing together Monday during a youth fishing event at Robbins Lake. Carter said he has fun teaching children and seeing the different stages of learning. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Rhett McCleod, 7, of Belle Plaine, exclaims, “It’s alive,” while fishing with his cousin during the youth fishing event at Robbins Lake. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Community members fish together during a youth fishing event Monday at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids. Parents were able to fish as well, but a fishing license was required for them to participate. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Jack Koch, 12, of Belle Plaine, watches as an officer takes the hook out of the bluegill he caught during the youth fishing event. The event allows youth under the age of 15 to try their hand at fishing without needing a license. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Charlie Rasmussen, 6, of Anamosa reacts after his brother Quincy Rasmussen, 4, and Cedar Rapids police officer Josh Carter catch a bluegill. Robbins Lake offers catfish and bluegills for anglers. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Quincy Rasmussen, 4, of Anamosa smiles as he checks out the bluegill he caught with the help of Cedar Rapids police officer Josh Carter. Officer Carter said this is the largest turnout for the event since they started the program. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Police officer Shawn Burke helps Andy Clayton, 5, of Vinton fish during a youth fishing event at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Andy Clayton, 5, of Vinton reacts as police officer Shawn Burke shows him a worm used as bait. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Community members, Iowa DNR officers and Cedar Rapids police officers gather to fish at Robbins Lake in Cedar Rapids. Police officer Josh Carter said, “Many of the officers out here learn a thing or two from these kids.” (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Police officer Josh Carter holds out a bluegill for Charlie Rasmussen, 6, of Anamosa, to touch before throwing it back into the water. All the fish caught at the event were thrown back after being caught. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

DNR seasonal patrol officer Travis Weininger helps Stetson Groves, 10, of Cedar Rapids, with his line before casting out. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Daelen Facion, 9, of Cedar Rapids, smiles as his grandmother Tammy Facion, of Cedar Rapids, takes a photo of him after catching a catfish during the youth fishing event. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Community members gather on the banks of Robbins Lake to fish during a youth fishing event. This is the second year the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Iowa DNR have run this event. Each year they offer three different events for community members to participate in. The cooler temperatures allowed for people to fish in comfortable conditions. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

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