YOUTH TROUT DERBY
WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (rain or shine)
TIME: 8:00am to noon (Registration at 7:30am)
WHERE: SLCFSA Pond
WHO: Children ages 5-12
Registration for this free event is required and will be limited to the first 125 kids
The history of the event
THE JOHN STRAWSER MEMORIAL KIDS’ FISHING DERBY
Named after the man who began this event in 1971, the John Strawser Kids’ Fishing Derby was designed to give local children an event all their own and get them excited about fishing. Herald of summertime held around Memorial Day, the event was always open to the public.
For many years, the spring-fed pond was stocked with trout, and kids could take their catch (2-3 trout) home for dinner. But difficulty keeping pond temperature low and the prevalence of predators continually reduced the trout stock, so the Derby switched over to bluegill and largemouth bass. Bass are hardier, larger, and put up more of a fight, so the “contest” switched to a 3-hour catch-and-release. Kids certainly put their muscles and will-power to the test – and learned a few fishing tricks along the way!