Lake Isabella Fishing Derby Is Back

 

Photos courtesy of the Kern Valley Chamber of Commerce

 

After terribly low water conditions prompted the popular Lake Isabella Fishing Derby to take a step back last year, the event is back on the calendar for 2017. Our friends at the Kern Valley Chamber of Commerce wanted to pass along this message to promote April’s event:

The Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to welcoming friends and families to the 28th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. The Derby date this year, as always, is planned for the weekend before Easter, April 8, 9, and 10, 2017. This provides a great opportunity for some “family time”, as most kids are out of school for spring break. Isabella Lake is looking very good with water levels much higher than they have been in many years. Keep in mind, if you register before March 20, 2017, you will be eligible for the $500 “Early Bird” drawing.
Fred Roach, Derby Chairman announced that this year’s Derby as advertised, promises to be new and improved over past derbies. We will be featuring our longest trout contest consisting of a payout of $2,000 for the longest trout & $4,000 if the lucky angler catches the longest wearing our “official” Derby T-shirt. Other payouts include $1,500 for the second longest, $1,000 for the third, $500 for the fourth, and $250 for the fifth longest. We will again be offering the very popular “Bobber Bowl” so anglers that are close, but do not make the leaderboard, can still draw for prizes of $100 to $300. The Chamber is again purchasing 5,000 pounds of tremendous Nebraska Tail Walker trout weighing up to 10 pounds and measuring 27+ inches. Last year’s winning Tail Walkers measured 23 ½ inches to 27 ¾ inches. In addition to the Tail Walkers, volunteers for the Chamber have been feeding and raising over 10,000 trout since the first of December, 2016. These fish, which should be close to one pound each, will be released before the Derby to insure the Lake will be well stocked and fishing should be outstanding with opportunities for everyone.
Something new this year will be a Blind Bogey held each day of the Derby. Any registered angler may bring a trout of any size to the headquarters to register. Only one registration per day will be accepted. At the end of each day, 10 lucky winners will be drawn to each receive $100. Registered anglers must be present to win. That’s $1,000 per day for all three days of the Derby!
Everyone will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for this year’s grand prize, a 14’ 1667 CRV Crestliner Boat with a 9.9 hp Mercury Motor, and trailer. There will also be the ever popular Saturday night raffle at the headquarters where hundreds of prizes are given away.
Whether you are a derby veteran or a potential first timer, the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to say, the lake is stocked with thousands of trout ready to bite, and we look forward to seeing all of you at the 2017 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby.

More information:

http://www.kernrivervalley.com/derby-rules-bobberbowl

1-866-KRV-4FUN