Latest news with #TroutDerby
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fin-tastic way to spend the day — Local children enjoy day of fishing at annual Trout Derby
Dozens of young anglers cast a line in Albion on Sunday morning in hopes of reeling in the biggest trout. Children 12 and under were there for an annual Trout Derby with the Albion Sportsmen Club. Local little league hits it out of the park with annual fundraiser Experienced and novice fisherman were invited to try their luck on the pond, with medals awarded to those with the best catches. The event organizer, Kelly Blackmer, said they've been hosting the derby for over 40 years and stocked 600 to 700 fish in the pond this year. Dozens enjoy final day of Downtown Edinboro Art & Music Festival Sunday 'They love it, getting excited, even coming up when they win a prize, getting a new pole or a tackle box or something, and running away to go use it. They just love it, running up here, we do like first fish for a boy, first fish for a girl, you know, seeing them run up and bring their fish, and they get medals,' said Blackmer. The first 100 kids to show up for the derby were given a free tackle bag, and Blackmer said well over 100 showed up Sunday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Opening day of lowland lakes fishing brings big trout, big prizes across Washington
Anglers across Washington can prepare for the opening day of lowland lakes fishing on April 26, with more than 14.5 million trout expected to be stocked statewide, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The opener also marks the 10th anniversary of WDFW's annual Trout Derby, which this year will feature the largest prize pool in its history—nearly 1,100 prizes donated by more than 100 businesses, with a total value of more than $54,000. Advertisement 'Opening day is one of our biggest and most important days for anglers,' said Steve Caromile, WDFW's inland fish program manager. 'There are great fishing opportunities at lakes statewide for people of all ages and backgrounds.' The agency's fish and hatchery crews work year-round to prepare for the season. In 2025, their efforts will result in the release of: 2.14 million catchable trout, averaging 11 to 13 inches, more than 150,000 jumbo trout measuring 14 inches or more, 1.6 million 'put, grow, and take' trout, which are stocked small and allowed to grow in lakes, and more than 10.6 million fingerling and fry trout and kokanee, primarily planted two years ago for fisheries in Eastern Washington. The Puget Sound region alone will see over 428,000 catchable trout, 25,000 jumbo trout, and 30,000 'put, grow, and take' fish added to local waters. The Trout Derby runs through Oct. 31 and is free to enter with a valid fishing license. Anglers who catch a prize-winning trout will find an orange tag near the fish's dorsal fin. Instructions on how to claim a prize, along with a list of participating lakes, are available at Advertisement Prizes include fishing gear, gift cards, Seattle Mariners tickets, aquarium passes, guided fishing trips, rounds of golf, resort stays, a kayak, and GPS units, among others. 'The generosity of our vendors has made the Trout Derby a great success, and something that many anglers look forward to,' Caromile said. WDFW is also hosting a photo contest during the derby's first week. Anglers can enter by posting photos to Instagram using the hashtag #watroutderby. To fish on opening day or take part in the derby, anglers need a valid 2025 license. Eligible options include the Get Outdoors package, annual freshwater, Fish WA, combination, or a temporary combination license. However, temporary combination licenses are not valid during the first eight days of the lowland lake season—except for active-duty U.S. military members. Advertisement Licenses can be purchased online, by phone at 360-902-2464, or at retail locations across the state. WDFW encourages anglers to plan ahead, be courteous to others, and follow all posted rules at water-access areas. With more than 7,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs across the state, there are many fishing options available. Anglers parking at WDFW sites must display either a Vehicle Access Pass (included with eligible annual licenses) or a Discover Pass. A Discover Pass is also required for parking at Washington State Parks and Department of Natural Resources lands. More information is available on WDFW's parking webpage. WDFW staff and their immediate families are not eligible to win Trout Derby prizes.
