Hundreds of anglers compete at Mineral Lake Fishing Derby

More than 400 anglers registered and tested their luck and bait, hoping to hook the “legendary 10-pound trout” Mineral Lake is known for during the 32nd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby last weekend, according to Mineral Lake Fishing Derby Committee Chair Steve Mayer.

The derby saw countless visitors pass through the East Lewis County community near the border of Pierce County.

While nobody caught the 10-pound trout, Tanner Condos won with a 7-pound trout, followed by Katherine Bourdage, 6.79 pounds, Caleb Harris, 6.62 pounds, Kolson Otis, 6.23 pounds, and Myles Sutton, 5.76 pounds.

“We were hoping for some bigger ones with the beautiful weather. But I know what will happen after next week: they’ll start biting more and the bigger ones will be caught,” Mayer said. “But it was still a great derby.”

While at previous derbies they have made sure to give every youth participant a brand new fishing rod to use, they wanted to mix it up a little this year.

With the help of sponsors — the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Walmart — along with the efforts of Mineral Lake Lions Club President Tina Moore, derby organizers were able to get 116 brand new bicycles to give away to youth participants during this year’s derby.

Mayer thanked all of the local vendors who participated in the event along with their other sponsors, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Bob’s Sporting Goods and Lewis County.

“Our partners really helped make this weekend what it was, it was a fantastic weekend. The whole town was packed,” Mayer said.

He added he hopes to continue growing the event next year with more vendors.

To learn more about the Mineral Lake Fishing Derby, visit the event’s website at https://minerallakefishingderby.com/. 

The Mineral Lake Lions Club has other events coming up as well, with its first Fireside Melodies on Mineral Lake concert, free to attend, on June 21 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Following that will be the Freedom, Fishing and Fireworks event, scheduled for July 5, which will feature another Fireside Melodies concert along with vendors, food trucks, fishing and a fireworks show over Mineral Lake in the evening.

For more information on upcoming events hosted by the Mineral Lake Lions Club, visit the club’s website at https://minerallakelions.com/.