Beaumont-Cherry Valley Fishing Derby Scheduled for April 27

Hundreds of local youth are expected to head out later this month to the annual fishing derby hosted by the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District.

Last year, about about 500 people— 300 of them kids— attended the event which allows youngsters to try their hand at fishing in the Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District's reclamation ponds, according to Diane Gonzalez with the Park District.

"We have plenty of room, so come out and fish, it's fun," she said.

Gonzalez tells Patch that the District has purchased 1,280 pounds of trout to fill the two ponds, with each fish weighing in at about 1-1.5 pounds.

There will be about 600 of the smaller fish in each pound, plus dozens of "trophy" fish which weigh more and are worth prizes to those who catch them, she said.

To participate, children must be younger than 14.  It costs $10 to enter the Fishing Derby, but that also includes lunch prepared by the Beaumont Lions Club.  Entrants must bring their own poles and power bait.

Fishing will be from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m., awards will be from 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. and lunch from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. 

Pre-registration— which is recommended to avoid long lines at the event— is now underway at the Noble Creek Community Center, 390 W. Oak Valley Parkway.  You can also get to the ponds at 7 a.m. on the day of the event to register.

Adults Can Fish, Too

Once the children's derby is wrapped up, the District is hosting the second annual adult derby from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.  One prize will be awarded for the largest trout caught overall.

On Sunday, the ponds will again be open to fishing to everyone, for a fee of $5.  No fishing license is required, according to Gonzalez.

The Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District Ponds are located at 39451 Cherry Valley Blvd. 

Call the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District at (951)845-9555 for more information.