Mayor Bob Magee gives $100 to the fisherman who was first to catch a catfish. (Photos by Katja Zimmer)
The 13th annual Dream Extreme Fishing Derby brought anglers to Launch Pointe on Lake Elsinore May 16 as teams competed to catch the largest fish across five species categories.
Boats, kayaks and other vessels launched onto the lake at 6 a.m. as participants fished for bass, catfish, crappie, carp and wiper during the derby. Sponsor booths from Fishing Syndicate and Angler Chronicles were set up near the launch area while anglers headed out onto the water.
“We call it a derby because we want people to come out and have fun, and when they participate in a tournament, it’s more competitive,” said Johnathan Skinner, recreation director for the city of Lake Elsinore.
The derby offered up to $10,000 in cash and prizes. Mayor Bob Magee also sponsored a “Councilman’s Catfish Challenge,” awarding $100 to the first participant who caught a catfish.
The event drew competitors from across Southern California, according to Skinner.
“We’ve had people come as far as Las Vegas to come fishing here in Lake Elsinore,” Skinner said.
The derby has grown over the years into a multi-species event that attracts both experienced anglers and newer participants.
“When it first started, it was all about bass,” he said. “Then people weren’t catching as many bass, so then it expanded to five different species.”
One of the featured fish in the derby is the wiper, a hybrid striped bass Skinner said is unique to Lake Elsinore.
“We’re the only lake in California that has this wiper,” he said.
Skinner said the species has become one of the most popular catches during the derby.
“They’re a very hardy fish,” he said. “They like to fight.”
Skinner said the city worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring the species back to the lake after it had not been present for several years.
Participation in the derby has remained steady, with both returning and new anglers continuing to sign up each year. This year’s derby attracted 47 teams.
Skinner said events like the fishing derby help showcase the lake as a recreational destination beyond just boating and water sports.
“It shows that our lake is more than just a water ski lake,” he said. “You can do so many different things on the water.”
He said improvements to the lake and its water quality have also helped bring more visitors and anglers to the area. He pointed to the city’s use of nanobubble technology, which injects oxygen into the water to improve lake conditions.
“It helps the lake and helps the fish, which brings more people to the lake,” Skinner said. “It’s starting to get on a lot of people’s maps of places to come fishing.”
Fishermen enjoyed the peace and quiet of a morning on the lake. (Photo by Katja Zimmer)
