For the first time since 2019, the Catch A Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby is returning to the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.
The event, which is for children ages 1 through 15 and is free to attend, will take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here is the schedule for each age group:
Ages 5-6 – 9-10 a.m.
Ages 7-8 – 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Ages 9-10 – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 11-12 – 12:45-1:45 p.m.
Ages 13-15 – 2-3 p.m.
Those who want to participate must register at least 30 minutes before their age group is set to begin for creek fishing.
The kids’ fishing pool is for children ages 1-4 and will be open 9 a.m. to noon.
Poles will only be furnished for the kiddie pool. Rods and tackle are not provided at the creek for ages 5 and up. Fly rods are prohibited.
The hatchery, along with the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery group and the event’s sponsors, is holding the event for the 34th time.
“We are very excited to be bringing this fishing derby back,” said Marsha Hart, environmental education/outreach specialist at the fish hatchery. “We’ve been having people ask about it, messaging us, wondering if we were going to have it this year … We, along with our partner group, the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, have worked hard to bring this event back this year.”
Typically, there are around 1,500 registered participants and approximately 3,500 people in attendance. Prizes are awarded for the largest fish in each age group, as well as door prizes.
There will also be free hot dogs, snow cones, and drinks for attendees to enjoy, in addition to other activities that will available while children wait their turn to fish, such as: archery, face painting, booths and other activities.
“There will be a lot of things to see and do around the hatchery on that day,” Hart said. “It’s going to be a fun-filled day for the community.”
For more information on this year’s event, click here. For information on the history of the event, click here.
