Young anglers hold up their catch during the Just 4 Kids Fishing Derby. (Photo by Katja Zimmer)
More than 200 young anglers lined the Lake Elsinore Levee on June 6 for the city’s annual Just 4 Kids Fishing Derby.
The free event, open to children 15 and younger, drew families from across the region for a morning of catch-and-release fishing, with prizes awarded for the largest fish and most fish caught.
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
Jonathan Skinner, Lake Elsinore’s director of recreation, said the derby began decades ago as a way to bring families together and encourage children to spend time outdoors.
“It’s a chance for parents to spend time with their kids away from the TV, away from everything else just to come out and enjoy the beautiful lake we have,” Skinner said. “We have a saying and it’s ‘Get your kids a tackle box rather than an Xbox.’”
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
Volunteers recorded the size, weight and species of each catch while also helping newcomers learn fishing basics such as tying knots and casting. The city also provided equipment for children who did not have their own gear.
“If you don’t have any fishing gear, come on down. We will hook you up with rod, reel, bait and tackle,” Mayor Bob Magee said. “If you haven’t had this opportunity before, we want to make sure that you have it now, and we don’t turn anybody away.”
The city stocked the lake the day before the event. Skinner said Lake Elsinore invests about $75,000 annually in fish stocking efforts, including a $10,000 catfish stock specifically for the kids fishing derby.
“We drop a net in about 2,000 feet down the channel,” Magee said. “We did that yesterday afternoon and then we stock catfish behind it, so that there is a better opportunity for the young anglers to actually catch something.”
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
Along the levee, children tried their luck whether it was their first time casting a rod or they had been fishing with family members for years.
Siblings Emberly, 8, and Ryann, 5, attended the derby with their father and great-grandfather. They reeled in a 3.3-pound catfish for their first catch of the day.
“We thought we wouldn’t catch a fish but we did,” Emberly said. “We are off to a good start.”
Emberly said she enjoyed “seeing the cool fish.”
Emberly and Ryann release their catfish back into the water with help from their father. (Photo by Emily Baierl)
Nearby, 11-year-old Zane returned for another year with his sights set on the competition’s top prizes. Zane and his family have attended the derby for eight years.
His favorite part of the morning was “catching the fish,” and when asked what he does when one is on the line, he said, “Get the net!”
Zane and his family place their catfish catch in a net before it is weighed and recorded by volunteers. (Photo by Emily Baierl)
Six-year-old Abraham was back for his second derby. After landing one fish and losing another after a four-minute fight, he said the highlight of his morning was “the catfish” he caught.
Abraham’s mother, Marissa Vargas said her family traveled from outside Lake Elsinore because their community does not offer any similar events.
“It’s important to teach kids to be outdoors more and just enjoy what nature provides,” Vargas said. “We’re looking to move to Lake Elsinore because we see how many events they do.”
Abraham holds up his first catch of the day. (Photo by Emily Baierl)
Magee said events such as the fishing derby help connect families with Lake Elsinore and the community around it.
“We have to remind people that we have this big beautiful jewel,” Magee said. “This is a way for us to bring families down here and introduce them to our aquatic life and to the beauty of this entire valley.”
He said the city remains committed to providing family-oriented events throughout the year.
“The council is dedicated to putting forth activities like this,” Magee said. “We want to make sure that people have places to come and experience with their families.”
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
(Photo by Katja Zimmer)
