It’s that time of year again: Essex County has released the schedule of the annual Fishing Derbies in the county parks.
The competition kicks off on Thursday, May 9, in Caldwell’s Grover Cleveland Park pond. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:45 p.m. This derby is co-sponsored by the Roseland Recreation Department.
The Derbies come to Verona Park lake on Thursday, May 16. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:45 p.m.
The fishing activity moves on to Weequahic Park on Thursday, May 30, followed by Irvington Park pond on Thursday, June 6, and Monte Irvin Orange Park pond on Saturday, June 8.
The last event this year will be at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex’s Orange Reservoir on Thursday, June 13. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:45 p.m.
Sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, each derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles. Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby.
For additional information, please call 973-268-3500. In case of bad weather, cancellations will be posted on www.essexcountynj.org. Cancelled Derbies will not be rescheduled.
