Crowds line the banks at the 18th annual Kids Fishing Derby in Gardnerville, Nevada

Service employees assist at the busy "fish cleaning station"

One of the local fishing derby contestents proudly stands by as her fish is weighed and entered into the competion for the largest fish caught during her fishing session.

Jay Bigelow accepts plaque presented to Lahontan National Fish Hatchery for their support and contribution to the Kids Fishing Derby

Jeannie Stafford
Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office
In an effort to connect children (and families) with nature, employees from the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office’s Ecological Services and Fisheries Programs joined with the communities of Minden/Gardnerville, Nevada, to conduct a kid's fishing derby.  The Nevada communities have sponsored the popular kids fishing derby for the past 18 years.  The fun-filled event teaches kids how to fish, and provides not only equipment and mentoring, but provides a heightened opportunity for each child to catch a fish, thereby increasing their desire to fish in the future.   

Each June, Lahontan National Fish Hatchery contributes Lahontan cutthroat trout to this event that attracts so many children and families organizers limit participation to 2,600 children between the ages of 3 and 12 from communities in Nevada and California. This event has become a valued activity in the local community and had garnered assistance of over 300 volunteers.

This year, employees from the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office’s Ecological Services and Fisheries Programs helped kids bait hooks and to learn and perfect fishing techniques. Employees also assisted with fish weighing, t-shirt sales, registration, and fish cleaning.

Lahontan National Fish Hatchery provided approximately 1,000 tagged Lahontan cutthroat trout averaging 17 inches in length.  To add to the excitement, children lucky enough to hook one of the big cutthroats, were awarded special prizes for catching a tagged fish.  

Jay Bigelow, Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Manager, received a standing ovation when presented with a plaque for the hatchery’s contribution and support of the event.