Photos by Deb Gau Lynd student Bentley Harrington casts a line into the Redwood River in Camden State Park on Monday. Students in grades 5-8 spent the day fishing and doing other activities during environmental fair day.

CAMDEN STATE PARK — The trout fishing on the Redwood River was turning out to be slow on Monday morning.

“We can’t really catch anything. But maybe we could if we keep trying,” said Lynd Public School student Bentley Harrington.

Harrington was one of a group of Lynd students who spread out along the river bank to cast their lines. Some students joked with each other as they reeled in sticks or weeds, but no fish.

The trout may not have been biting, but students said it was still good to spend some time having fun..

Lynd student Nakia Jackson said the best part of the day was “Just to hang out with my friends.”

It wasn’t a bad day to be outside, student Brynn Stelter said. “The sun’s shining, it’s not raining and it’s not snowing,” she said.

Lynd students in grades 5-8 spent the morning in Camden Park on Monday, as part of the school’s second annual environmental fair.

“Given all the (weather) conditions, I’m just glad we can be here,” said Lynd School teacher Martin Boucek. With the rain and snow from the weekend gone, it was a lot more comfortable for students to be outdoors on Monday.

During the environmental fair, students got a chance to learn about topics like Minnesota wildlife and renewable energy. They also got to do some hands-on activities, like building “bee hotels” that can shelter native bee species.”Fishing is only a fifth of the events here,” Boucek said.

One of the events Harrington and other students said was interesting was a talk from Conservation Officer Matt Loftness. Loftness brought a variety of animal furs representing different species that live in southern Minnesota, as well as an elk antler.

Loftness handed the antler around to groups of students.

“What I want you to think about is how heavy it is,” Loftness said.

With a set of antlers, the elk would have been carrying twice that weight on its head, he said.

Jackson said another activity she enjoyed was doing nature art. Students spread out around the park’s group camping area to sketch the things they saw in nature.

Boucek said fair organizers were thankful for donations that helped make it possible to expand the event. Some of the donors included Women Anglers of Minnesota and the Ike Foundation. Donors also made it possible for each of the students to receive a towel, and a stocking cap to stay warm while they were out fishing.

Boucek said they hoped to be able to continue to expand the environmental fair day.