3 Reasons to Participate in a Fishing Derby

Spring fishing is now in full swing. Water temperatures are warm enough that fish are active and there are opportunities galore. If you plan on taking kids fishing, there even are fishing derbies, clinics, and various kid events scheduled around the country. For example, there are clinics in Colorado in May, some upcoming in Indiana, and Mississippi recently held a “fish rodeo.”

Here are 3 reasons to check out these events:

1. Learn.
   There will be instructors and volunteers there to offer tips for casting, knot tying, and landing fish.

2. Free stuff.
   In addition to prizes for the winners of fishing contests, there may be drawings for free fishing rods, tackle, or hot dogs during the day. Many events even provide bait.

3. Fun.
   The waters at a kid fishing day are loaded with fish and the odds of catching something are very good. For example, a small pond at the Rimersburg, rod and gun club in western Pennsylvania gets stocked with 300 jumbo trout for their kid derby in early May. The Oklahoma Expo loads their pond with channel catfish.

Whatever the event is called in your area, it is a great opportunity to share some fishing fun.

Do you plan on taking a kid to a fishing derby? Don’t forget that you can check our website to find state information on how to get a fishing license.

Andy Whitcomb

Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.