The Centralia Lions Club youth fishing derby at Borst Park Lake.
Bikes for each age group included in the prize drawing at the youth fishing derby.
Von Heinricher, left, with his son Jake Heinricher, right, and grandsons Hudson and Ky.
The Centralia Lions Club will host its 51st annual youth fishing derby for kids between the ages of 3 and 14. President of the Centralia Lions Club Bill Scholl said the youth fishing derby has become a multigenerational event, with grandparents who first attended as kids now attending with their kids and grandkids.
Last year the fishing derby had more than 200 registrants, Scholl said. Registration is free and each participant will receive a ticket for a free hot dog and container of milk. There will be a drawing for prizes beginning at noon. Prizes range from fishing-related products donated by Sunbirds and an age-appropriate bicycle for each age group donated by Centralia firefighters local union No. 451.
The age groups for the derby are ages 3 to 6, 7 to 11 and 12 to 14. The Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake with fish prior to the derby so that everyone has a chance to catch a fish, Scholl said. For those that don’t have their own fishing equipment, there will be a trailer at the south end of the lake that will loan equipment. Scholl recommends participants use Powerbait for the derby.
This year, the new Lions Club mascot will be walking around the event to greet kids and take photos. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will also have a booth at the fishing derby to provide information to families in attendance. Scholl is looking forward to seeing another big turnout of families that enjoy the fishing derby together.
“I like to see the kids that catch their first fish ever, Scholl said.
Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m., with fishing lasting all day or until participants catch their limit.
