Fishing Events

CALIFORNIA - Free Fishing Days: July 7 and September 8, 2012
On Free Fishing days, Californians can fish any freshwater lakes without a fishing license. All other regulations apply.


2012 KIDS FISHING DERBY EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA
 
Chollas Park Lake 6350 College Grove Drive, San Diego, CA 92115 Saturday May 12, 2012, 7am-1pm
Cerritos Regional Park Lake 19700 S. Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90701 Saturday June 2, 2012, 7am-11am
MacArthur Park 2230 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057 Saturday June 9, 2012, 8am-12am
City of Hawaiian Gardens Youth Fishing Derby, 19700 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90701 Saturday October 13, 2012 8am-1pm
El Dorado Park 7550 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 Saturday November 17, 2017, 8am-12pm
Fishing with Santa, Youth Fishing Event 823 Lexington-Gallatin Road, S. El Monte, CA 91733 Saturday December 1, 2012, 8am-12pm


Kern River Valley - Wofford Heights, California Kid's Fishing Derby June 2, 2012

Kid's Fishing Derby is a free event with many prizes for winners in various categories. Sponsored by Fish & Game Habitat Club of Kern River Valley.

Bradley  - Ron "The Bear" McKibben Memorial 17th Annual Oak Shores Kids Fishing Derby  May 12th 2012

Open to kids age 3 to 17, the fishing event is sponsored by: Oak Shores Community, and charges a fee-- $2 per child includes lunch and prize Jr. age 3-11  & Sr. age 12-17.  Pre-registration takes place May 11, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Shores Clubhouse . All kids must wear a life jacket. Adult must be present if boating.  Cell: (805) 440-7948 or  (805) 472-2233

Friant  Trout Fest May 12, 2012, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Free event at San Joaquin Hatchery, 17372 Brook Trout Dr., Friant, CA, and  Moccasin Creek Hatchery ~ Saturday, May 26, 2012 At the junction of Hwy 49 and Hwy 120 (follow the signs!) Learn fishing basics, make a fish print, and try your hand at catching a trout.   River Maze, Trout Tasting,  Fish Printing, Face Painting, Feed the Fish, Kids Fishing Pond, Aquarium Displays,  Hatchery Displays,  Fly Casting Demo, Fly Tying Demo, Trout Cleaning Demo,  Bean Bag Toss,  Dissection Demo,  Casting & Rigging and Kids Touch Pool.  Call: (559) 765-4824.  dfg.ca.gov 

Gardnerville  Kids Fishing Derby June 2-3, 2012

Mono Free Kid's Fishing Derby  23rd annual fishing event at Lampe Park in Gardnerville is the largest free kids fishing event in the West attracting approximately 1,500 participants. All participants receive a prize for fishing. Prizes will also be awarded for tagged fish and for the largest fish in each session. Space is limited on Willow Creek, so pre-registration is required for each of the seven fishing sessions. Registration at the Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department, The Angler's Edge, located at 1506 Highway 395 in Gardnerville and in front of Raley's every Saturday in April and May from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Gardnerville. Call: (775) 782-4734

Gridley Kids Fishing Derby May 12, 2012

The annual kids fishing derby, co-sponsored by the Gridley Recreation Department, Butte County Fish and Game Commission, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, and the Chico Bass Club at Gray Lodge is free at fishing pond off Parking Lot #4, located off of Pennington Rd. behind the Gray Lodge offices. The event runs from 7 a.m. to noon and is open to ages 15 and younger. Twice the number of fish will be available thanks to two $2500 donations this year from the Dept. of Fish and Game, and  $2500 from Gray Lodge.  Bikes will be awarded to the boy and girl who catches the biggest fish. There will be a number of free poles and bait are available for kids who don't have equipment of their own thanks to sponsors Brown's Bait and S & L Tremors. Along with the great fishing there will be a free barbecue lunch for all the kids thanks to the Lions Club.

Huntington Beach- Huck Finn Fishing Derby Saturday August 11, 2012

9:30 a.m. to Noon
Huntington Beach Pier
City Gym and Pool for more information at 714- 960-8884

City of Huntington Beach Community Services department hosts the annual Huck Finn fishing derby at the Huntington Beach pier for free!  Prizes are awarded to the best dressed Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher character and the largest and smallest fish for three different age groups 7 & under, 8 through 11 and 12 through 15.
 

Long Beach - Kids' Fishing Rodeo Friday, August 3, 2012

8:00 am to 12:00 pm
at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier

 59th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo A Free Event for Kids is held at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Designed for Boys and Girls ages 16 and under, youth age 12 & under must be supervised by an adult. Please provide your own fishing & tackle. Food and beverage for sale.
Free bait, snacks and instruction is available. Participants need to provide their own rod and reel. There are prizes for many categories and everyone goes home a winner.   alfredosbeachclub.com

Julian  Kids Fishing Derby September 22, 2012
 
Fishing begins at 6am
Registration begins at 8am
15027 Hwy 79
Lake Cuyamaca
Julian, CA 
Phone: (619) 447-8123
 

Kid's Fishing Derby will take place on beautiful Lake Cuyamaca, located at 4600 feet, near Julian CA. The lake will be stocked with fish prior to the event. The event is free for all under 15 years old. Children will have a chance to win prizes, such as rods, reels, and fishing trips in the free drawing. Kids can also enjoy face painting by clowns. A free lunch prepared by the San Diego Anglers. The free trout derby was started back in 1998 to help introduce more children to the sport of fishing.

Mammoth Lakes Kids Fishing Derby July 28, 2012

 Mammoth Lakes Kid's Fishing Festival -  25th Annual Kid's Fishing Festival  at the Snowcreek Ponds from 8 a.m. to Noon. Kids 13 and under can catch an Alpers Trout! Event T-shirts available and lots of prizes. Free! Donations accepted. Mono Council for the Arts Sponsors (760) 937-2942.monoarts.org 

Riverside Family Fishing Derby June 16, 2012

6-10 a.m. at Fairmount Park, Riverside, CA. Register through Riverside Parks & Recreation department riversideca.gov

Rio Vista Bass Derby & Kids Derby October 12-14, 2012

65th annual fishing festival is a family event for kids age 15 and under. Kids will be fishing for catfish and striped bass. Stay tuned for details, and check for updates: bassfestival.org

Sacramento Juneteenth Fishing Derby  June 16, 2012

Fishing Derby at William Land Park pond from Noon to 6 p.m. (S. Land Park Dr. & 15th Ave). The Juneteenth Festival in partnership with Department of Fish and Game hosts the Fishing in the City event. Parks & Recreation department will stock the pond at WLP with live catfish and bait is provided. sacramentojuneteenth.com

San Clemente Kids Fishing Derby - Ocean Festival July 21, 2012

Fishing Derby on the Pier 6:30 a.m. Registration (on the pier), clinic & derby - children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 12:30 p.m. Judging & Prizes Awarded. oceanfestival.org

San Diego Pacific Beach Kids Fishing Derby July 21, 2012

The 5th Annual Crystal Pier Kids Classic Youth Fishing Derby will be held on July 21, 2012 

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. ages 15 and under welcome to participate. Hosted by Capt. Ron Baker, takekidsfishing.net. Free to participate! Many sponsors, vendors, entertainment and prizes.

Santee Firefighters Fishing Derby  June 23, 2012

Open to ages 3 to 17 years. Children must have supervision. Adults can help bait and cast but not fish. Derby Participants Will Receive: Free Day Permit, Worms, Raffle Ticket, Hot Dog lunch, and Free Door Prizes while they last! Loaner poles will be available with I.D. Email Questions to: FishingDerby@SanteeFirefighters.org Padre Dam’s Santee Lakes Lake 3 & 4 - Area G  Time: 6 - 11 a.m. santeefirefighters.org

Shaver Lake Fishing Derby June 2, 2012

South Lake Tahoe Optimists Kids Fishing Derby June 9, 2012

One of only two such fisheries set aside for kids fishing at  Saw Mill Pond, kids are invited (rain or shine) to participate even if you don’t have a fishing pole. Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters will offer loaners, first come first serve. No lures can be used during the derby.  8 a.m. - Noon.   Free for kids age 14 years and younger. Location:  Lake Tahoe.  The Optimist Club cooks barbecued hot dogs and refreshments. Location: Corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd and Sawmill Rd. South Lake Tahoe, CA. Call: (775) 267-9722 or (530) 541-8208. tahoeflyfishing.com

Temecula Sundance Meadows Fishing Derby June 23, 2012

10 a.m. sundancemeadows.us

Watsonville - Kids Fishing Derby May 6, 2012

The Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club, The City of Watsonville and The Pajaro Valley Host Lions sponsor a free fishing derby for kids 12 and under at Pinto Lake Park, 450 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, CA. The event goes from 8 a.m. to Noon and  is free to kids 12 years and under with parents. 2,000 lbs of trout stocked by Department of Fish & Game, plus prizes for all participants, free hot dogs and punch, make for a great way to launch the summer of fishing in the parks.

Dates not established 2012

Alondra Park Lake 38850 W. Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale, CA 90260 Saturday TBA, 7am-1pm
 Seal Beach Pier Seal Beach, CA 90740 Saturday TBA, 8am-12pm
City of Hawaiian Gardens Youth fishing Derby 19700 Bloomfield
Annual Kids Fishing Festival Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Saturday TBA, 7am-1pm
Knabe Katch 13701 Aldelfa Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90368 Saturday TBA, 7am-1pm
Bell Gardens Family Fishing Derby 8000 Park Lane, Bell Gardens, CA 90202 Saturday TBA, 7am-1pm

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Oceanside - Kids Fishing Derby 2nd Annual Event 

2nd Annual Kid's Fish Derby for kid's 6-16 begins at 9 a.m. on the Oceanside Pier.  Call: (760) 722-3936 for information.

Seal Beach Youth Fishing Derby Saturday, August 27, 2011

7 a.m.-12 p.m.
 Seal Beach Pier

Catch, weigh and release. Bring your own rod and reel or loaners
is provided. Free refreshments for participants and prizes for largest fish caught. Free event open to youth ages 15 and older.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos.

Long Beach  - Annual Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation Fishing Swap Meet Sunday July 31, 2011

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
251 North Marina Drive
Long Beach, CA

Selling Spots available for $35. Call 562-865-3764. Set up assigned at 5 a.m.  danskids.org

Capitola - Begonia Festival Fishing Derby September 5, 2011

6 a.m. to Noon
Capitola Wharf, begoniafestival.com

Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the end of the Wharf. Open to all ages. Final Tally begins at 11 a.m. Sponsored by Capitola Self Storage. Free Shuttle runs from 10 am - 8 pm!
 

About Kids Fishing Derbies

They have them Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego. All up and down the coast (and inland lakes, too) there are fishing derbies that lure parents and children to experience the exciting "tap, tap" of the line, a notice that you've caught something and it may be time to reel it in. The big surprise is finding out what you've caught.

Fishing is as old as the hills and isn't just entertainment, it's the lifeblood of many peoples and cultures where the see, rivers and lakes have sustained hungry hunters and anglers for thousands of years.

But in modern society, fishing is mostly entertainment for youth first introduced to the sport around the age of six and up. Derbies provide mentoring and instruction from adults, and if the kids like it, the events create a life-long passion for a sport that brings appreciation, entertainment, and food!

At one fishing derby in Huntington Beach, Huck Finn derby brought out a dad with his boy & girl, who he wanted to introduce to the sport. He opened a book in which he was featured as a participant in the very same event over 25 years earlier. He showed the black & white photo of himself standing about as tall as his children now were. He was hooked!

It doesn't take much to get hooked -- or to catch a fish. Good bait, a rod & reel are the start. You can buy the entire set up for around $25. Or you can rent your rod & reel on some California piers and concessions, just to try it out. Go ahead. Try it! It's fun.

Do you want to have a kids fishing derby? MEET ME AT THE LAKE is a unique half-day festival-style FREE youth fishing event open to the public and held at various local city lakes throughout the year. This powerful outreach program caters to urban kids and their families who may not otherwise have access to viable fishing opportunities. The Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation provides a large team of volunteers who work tirelessly to prepare, plan and operate each event to ensure that all participants have a fun, memorable and safe day of fishing. sport-fishing.com


Kids Fishing Derbies 2011

Past events:

Huck Finn Jubilee in June huckfinn.com

BASS LAKE - Bass Lake Derby in May
basslakeca.com/derby.html

ISABELLA LAKE - Isabella Lake Fishing Derby in March
isabellafishingderby.com

MARINA DEL REY - Marina del Rey Halibut Derby in May
halibutderby.com

BIG BEAR LAKE - Big Bear Lake's Fishin' for $50K Trout Derby in June bigbear.com

SANTA CRUZ - Santa Cruz Sandcrab Classic Perch Derby in March
theletsgofishingradioshow.com

LAKE ELSINORE - Just 4 Kids Fishing Derby set for Saturday, June 4, 2011.  The free fishing tournament is open to youngsters 15 years and younger. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. with fishing starting at 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Walk-ins  not accepted the day of the event. Participants must bring their own bait and tackle. Derby organizers suggest bringing hats, sunscreen and lawn  chairs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes is awarded to top fish catchers. Pre-registration (951) 245-0442.

LOS ANGELES - Kids Fishing Derby in MacArthur Park.

OAKLAND - Lake Chabot Reservoir he 315-acre Lake Chabot is stocked with trout and catfish. There are also bass, crappie, and other fish. A popular event is the annual spring fishing derby. There are several fishing piers in the park.ebparks.org/

STOCKTON - Saturday June 4, 2011 at Oak Grove. San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers will host the 27th Annual Catfish Derby. Gates open at 6:15 a.m. Event competition is open to everyone. Kids age 15 years and younger fish FREE at Oak Grove's 10-acre lake during the  event. Nearly 3,000 lbs. of catfish is planted prior to the derby, with Oak Grove Lake closed to fishing on Friday, June 4. Anglers will compete for  prizes in similar age groups (i.e.: 8 and under, 9 to 12, 13 to 15 and adult competition) and food is available for purchase. There is no registration  fee for the event. Oak Grove Regional Park is located on Eight Mile Road and  I- 5 in Stockton. Derby registration closes at 10 a.m. and the last weigh-in is at 12:30 p.m. Prizes is awarded shortly thereafter. For more
information, call (209) 331-2050 . mgzoo.com.

SANTA BARBARA - April 9, 2011 Anglers of all ages dip their fishing lines in Cachuma Lake for the 16th annual Trout Derby 2011. Registration is $40 for adults or $10 for kids 10 years and under. Registration takes place at Cachuma Lake. All anglers 16 years and older  must have a fishing license, which may also be purchased at the marina. The Trout Derby is the major fundraiser for Cachuma Lake Nature Center Inc., the  nonprofit organization that operates the Nature Center. Participants are competing for cash prizes amounting to $5,000 plus thousands of dollars worth of  merchandise prizes is awarded in many categories and to anglers of all ages. Some prizes are designated for children and teens.  troutderby.org or  clnaturecenter.org

POWAY - Lake Poway Kids' Fishing Derby on Feb. 5. There's a campout Friday, Feb. 4, a BBQ  and a  trout fishing seminar.  On Saturday, there's another BBQ. There are prizes for top catches and
other awards. The derby is free for kids. For information about the fishing classes, call the lake at (858) 668-4770 or supervising ranger Steve November at  (858) 668-4772.

SANTEE - Free kids catfish fishing derby this weekend at Santee Lakes. The Santee Firefighters Association is putting on a free catfish derby for all  supervised kids ages 3 to 17 on Saturday, June 11th, 2011. The derby will take place at Santee Lakes on lakes 3 & 4 where catfish have been consistently  stocked. The official derby fishing hours is from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Kids can register in area G of the park and will receive a free fishing permit  for the day, worms, a raffle ticket, a hot dog lunch, and some free goodies while they last.  email
fishingderby@santeefirefighters.org.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY - Saturday March 5, 2011, at Mile Square Regional Park. O.C. Parks is putting on a Free Kid's Fishing Derby that is a fun event for the  entire family to do. Here are the details for the event: Registration goes from 7am to 8:30am. The actual Fishing Derby is held from 9am to 12pm. There are prizes for those in their given age group who catch the biggest fish, winners and prizes to be announced after the conclusion of the fishing derby. There  are 3 age categories. The first category is for those who are 7 years old and under, the second category is from 8 to 11 year olds, and the last category is  from 12 to 15 year olds. ocparks.com

CERRITOS - Date: June 4, 2011; Time: 7:00am–11:00am Where: Cerritos Regional County Park, 19800 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703. Bring the kids out to the Cerritos Kids Fishing Derby presented by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and the Cerritos Rod & Gun Club. For boys and girls ages 5 to 15 years, begins at 7 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast with the Fishing Derby immediately following from
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring your own poles and equipment, as there is a limited number of poles for loan. Call: (562) 924-6144.
 

San Clemente - Kids Fishing Clinic & Derby, Saturday, July 16, 2011  Ages 12 and under.

Sponsored by Dana Wharf Sportfishing and held at the end of San Clemente Pier, this event is part of the annual Ocean Festival. Registration and fishing begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at Noon 12 p.m. Award presentation is at  12:30 p.m.All participants must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian and will receive a Dana Wharf Sportfishing kids club card.

San Clemente - Sunday, July 17, 2011  Fishing Derby, all ages

Held from 6:30 a.m. to Noon, this is an all ages contest.  Participants must provide own tables, chairs, etc. for use in the derby.  Bring entry form to the event, San Clemente Ocean Festival. Call (949) 440-6141.
 oceanfestival.org