<p>Ray Welch | Middlesboro Daily News</p> <p>The 12th Annual Middlesboro Fish Fest was a huge success Saturday as the youth filled the banks of the canal. Fish Fest is a free event for youth ages 15 years old and younger who want to fish for trout that were released into the canal Friday in preparation for the event the following day.</p>

<p>Ray Welch | Middlesboro Daily News</p> <p>A young boy stands on the bank of the canal with his line cast in the water.“It was a great crew by 9 a.m.,” Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson said. “We had a great number of people out and the weather was perfect for a day of fishing and being out in the community.”</p>

<p>Ray Welch | Middlesboro Daily News</p> <p>Community members enjoyed the weather Saturday and a day of free fishing for youth 15 and under during Fish Fest. Bell County Attorney Neil Ward started the event 12 years ago. “We usually have 300 to 500 children to come out and fish,” he said.</p>

<p>Ray Welch | Middlesboro Daily News</p> <p>Vendors set up in the Middlesboro City Parking Lot during Fish Fest on Saturday providing fishing poles and other items needed for a fun day of fishing in the Middlesboro canal. On Friday, numerous trout were released in the canal to prepare for the fishing event, which started at 8 a.m. and ended that evening at 5 p.m. </p>

<p>Ray Welch | Middlesboro Daily News</p> <p>Tri-State Veterans served hot dogs and hamburgers to Saturday’s Fish Fest event attendees. Several business representatives, Bell County Chamber of Commerce Director Sheila Durham, Middlesboro Main Street Director Emily Ayers, and Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson were all in attendance to celebrate the beautiful weather and a great day of fishing on the canal.</p>