Presque Isle State Park and S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie will offer a free day of fishing for children April 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the floating platform in the East Basin near Waterworks Pavilion.

Bait and equipment will be provided by the DCNR, S.O.N.S. and BAC Bait & Tackle for the event taking place on the opening day of the statewide trout season

The platform will be available only to children, their non-fishing adult supervisors and individuals with handicaps. Children 16 and older must have a valid fishing license.

Registration is not required. Call the park office at 833-7424 for information.

As part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, and Erie’s role in that victory, the Perry 200 Commemoration Commission is putting on a series of events in the coming year.

One is the Perry 200 Fishing Challenge on May 30 on Lake Erie. Put on in conjunction with S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, it will feature multiple age divisions and prizes.

Full tournament information has not been released. For details, contact the Jefferson Educational Society at info@jeserie.org or call (814) 459-8000.

The absence of ice on Presque Isle Bay was a bummer for anglers this winter, but S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie offers a reason to smile — its annual Ice Out Party April 1 from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W. 38th St.

A ticket to S.O.N.S.’ major fundraiser includes food and refreshments, door prizes, games and the chance to take part in the Fantastic Fin and Fur raffle (first prize: choice between a Yamaha Grizzly 4X4 Automatic ATV and trailer or a Kymco Grandvista 250 scooter).

For information, or to get a ticket, call 453-2270 or see a S.O.N.S. member.

Meet the S.O.N.S. officers and directors for 2012 here.

S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie hatchery manager Bob Zawadzki explains how steelhead are reared at the facility on the Bayfront Parkway. Love the “Quiet: Fish being born” sign” in the background.

Save our Native Species of Lake Erie will have its final general membership meeting of the year Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Polish Falcon Club, 431 E. Third St. The public and new members are invited.

Events and activities that might interest outdoorspeople this week:

1. S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie monthly meeting. Executive director Jon Arway and District 1 commissioner Edward Mascharka III of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will speak and take questions Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Polish Falcons Club, 431 E. Third St. New members and the general public are invited to the free event.

2. Cathedral by Candlelight. See the Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest State Park in a whole new light during this guided evening walk. Candy and hot chocolate will be served at the Log Cabin Inn. Bring a flashlight. Meet at the inn Friday by 7 p.m. for the 2-hour program. For information, call (814) 744-8407.

3. Break out the neoprene waders. The best of the year’s weather has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean fishing season is over. Aside from the ample opportunities to chase steelhead in the tributaries, fall stockings this month delivered highly catchable trout throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Justus Lake and Chapman Dam Reservoir will get the first of their winter stockings Nov. 3.

Steelhead anglers in particular but all anglers in general are invited to say thank you Dec. 19 to private landowners who generously open their Erie-area properties to fishing.

Four Erie-based conservation groups — the Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the PA Steelhead Association, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie and the Gem City Outdoorsmen Club Fly Tiers — will deliver some 100 fruit baskets the morning of Saturday, Dec. 19.

Non-members interested in helping with delivery are invited to meet at Heartland Antiques & Gifts, 9101 Ridge Road, Girard, at 8 a.m. The group will have breakfast at McDonald’s, then pick up baskets.