For the first time in years, the local fishing derby returned to a freshly-stocked Palmer Lake and officials expected hundreds of pole people to line the lake. They weren’t disappointed.
“We stocked about 600 Rainbow trout from a truck yesterday that came up from the Pueblo Hatchery,” said Steve Cooley, Wildlife Officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, during the derby Saturday morning. He said they will likely stock several more times before hot weather in July. Several other areas locally also received fish, he said.
The Palmer Lake Fishing Derby traditionally was held at Palmer Lake until drought and lack of water in the lake forced relocation to Monument Lake. Now sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Lions Club, the event coincides with the Statewide Free Fishing Weekend June 4 and 5. A fishing license is not required this weekend.
“We are glad to build on what the Chamber has done in the past, and we are also happy to see it back here in Palmer Lake,” said David Prejean, Tri-Lakes Lions Club President. Prejean said that at least 15 of their members were volunteering at the derby Saturday and the group had gathered a lot of donated prizes from Bass Pro Shop, Sportsman’s Warehouse and other places. “We hope it will continue to grow,” he said.
Colorado residents and state visitors had the opportunity to fish without a license on June 4 and 5 as part of the annual “Colorado’s Free Fishing Days.”
The free fishing days are set aside each year for the first full weekend in June as part of ongoing efforts by Colorado Parks & Wildlife to introduce people to the sport of fishing.
During the free fishing days, anglers may fish without licenses. However, normal bag limits, possession limits and regulations will remain in effect. For more information on state fishing regulations, participants should consult the Colorado Fishing Brochure.
The CPW’s weekly Colorado fishing report has a list of where interested parties can take advantage of the free fishing days. The report contains angling information on bodies of water across the state, a list of recently stocked waters, weekly hotspots, and techniques that have proven successful for the state’s most productive lakes, reservoirs, streams and ponds.
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Photo information:
1: Kevin Zeller, 7, and his mother, Meladee Zeller, cast out for prize winners in the derby, Saturday morning.
2 and 3: Sky Davaris, 12, who just moved here this summer from California, lands a beauty just north of the center platform, a little before 10 a.m. Saturday, when his sister abandoned her pole for a few minutes.
4 and 5: Fishing wasn’t the only fun with face painting, tree climbing, people watching and more. Hailee Tafoya, 8, sports a turtle painted by Angela Nussbaum. Nolan Ryan Hazuka, 5, emerges as Spider Man at the hands of his Grandmother, Annette Hazuka.
6: Dogs and kids lined the lake with Hannah Pershica, 7, giving attention to Casey Jane, a five-month-old Basset hound.
7: Miles Teger, 8, drops the bait in just the right place, as his grandmother, Sally Shaw, smiles for his precision.
8: Wildlife Officer Steve Cooley is lining up equipment for his fishing friends at the lake. Colorado Parks and Wildlife required no fishing licenses this weekend and hooked up 250 new poles with young fishing buddies at the derby Saturday.
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