Anglers young and old are invited to the 32nd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby at Mineral Lake — home of the “10-pound trout” — on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, in the East Lewis County town of Mineral.
Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts are invited to the 2025 Mineral Schoolhouse Sportsman Show, starting on Friday, April 25, and going on throughout Sunday, April 27, at the schoolhouse, according to the Mineral Lions Club.
“Whether participating in the fishing derby or exploring the sportsman show, attendees will enjoy a weekend of diverse activities and local charm. These two separate events, running concurrently, promise something for every interest as Mineral welcomes the start of the fishing season,” a release stated.
Mineral Lake Fishing Derby
The 32nd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby will commence at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, marked by the town’s fire alarm going off. Weigh-ins begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday and end at 11 a.m. on Sunday, with the winners and prizes announced shortly after at noon.
Up to $5,000 in prizes will be available. Prizes in the past have included kayaks, fishing rods, filet knives, outboard trolling boat motors and guided fishing trips.
All derby participants — whether they are fishing from a boat or kayak on Mineral Lake or fishing from the shoreline or docks — must register and purchase a derby ticket before casting their lines in the lake.
Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, April 25, and are $10 each. They can be purchased at the three following locations:
• The Lions/Legion Community Building, located at 108 Front St. E. in Mineral
• The Mineral Lake State Boat Launch, located just north of the intersection of Lyday and Mineral Hill roads
• The Mineral Lake Lions Club Lions Den Campground located at 113 Front St. E. in Mineral
Aside from the fishing derby, a beer garden will be set up at the Lions Den Campground that weekend along with food trucks, fishing gear vendors and live music. A free KidsZone Trout Pond will be set up with prizes for young anglers as well.
For more information on the derby, visit its website at https://minerallakefishingderby.com/.
Mineral Schoolhouse Sportsman Show
A brand new event hosted by the Mineral Schoolhouse & Event Center — located at 114 Mineral Road S. — the sportsman show will feature local outdoors vendors along with a variety of food trucks.
It is free to attend. Vendors will be available from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.
Participating food trucks will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, follow the schoolhouse on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/49zvbbwy or visit its website at https://www.mineralschoolhouse.com/.
