The Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby was held on June 2, 2007, at the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery where 360 children ages 6 – 12 registered to fish for channel catfish.  The participants were given goody bags upon registration that contained stringers, bait, hooks, fishing book, nutritional information from the Chickasaw Tribe, sunglasses, and a coin purse from USFWS.  The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation also provided their poster of recreational fish, the Anglers’ Guide issue of “Outdoor Oklahoma”, and a copy of the 2007 Fishing and Hunting Regulations for the children’s goody bags.  An additional pond had to be opened again this year to safely accommodate the large number of participants and accompanying visitors, with totals reaching 1,000.  In addition to the hatchery staff, several staff members of the Tishomingo NWR, volunteers, and Friends’ Group provided a helping hand to assist in crowd control, registration, and assistance with the children fishing during the Derby. Tulsa Ecological Services assisted in grounds preparation for the Derby, while the Friends’ Group secured the goody bag items.  Special thanks goes to Bob Pos from the Washington Office and Jennifer Fowler-Propst from the Regional Office who arrived on station a day early to assist with preparations, helped during the Derby, and remained after the festivities to help in the clean-up.

This year’s Derby attendees approved of a change in refreshments offered, following the Fisheries and Habitat Conservation motto of “Healthy People, Healthy Fish and Wildlife, Healthy Habitats, and Healthy Economies”.  The Nutrition Services Group of the Chickasaw Indians were on hand to answer questions and provided the refreshments for the Derby, consisting of fresh fruit, cheese sticks, granola bars, water, juice boxes, and drink mix. 

Thirty-two prizes, donated by businesses and individuals in our community, were awarded to those lucky children whose names were drawn by Region 2’s Fisheries Supervisor, Jennifer Fowler-Propst.  The names were posted on a marker board for all to see about half-way through the fishing event. Therefore, when each child’s limit of 5 fish was caught, they could check the prize board, refuel with refreshments and head home, a change that facilitated the flow of the crowd and traffic, creating a much safer and more enjoyable atmosphere for the fishermen and visitors.