San Bernardino Regional Parks is offering a month-long Catfish Derby skilled competition to the public and anglers of all ages beginning August 1 through August 31 at Glen Helen, Mojave Narrows, and Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Parks. Derby entry is $5 and does not include park entrance and fishing fees. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. Derby hours are daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. State and county fishing regulations apply.
Derby prizes will be awarded at each regional park. One prize will be awarded for the “Overall Heaviest Catfish” caught – $1,000. (Winner of “Overall Heaviest Catfish” will not qualify for “Heaviest Catfish Caught at each Park Location”). Three first-place prizes will be awarded for the “Heaviest Catfish Caught at each Park Location” – $500 each. Three second-place prizes will be awarded for the “Second Heaviest Catfish Caught at each Park Location” – $300 each. Three third-place prizes will be awarded for the “Third Heaviest Catfish Caught at each Park Location” – $100 each. Catfish will be registered by heaviest weight and earliest date and time.
A state fishing license is required (16 years and over) and a valid photo ID must be presented at the time of Derby Entry Permit purchase. The fishing license must be in participants’ possession at all times. Anglers must fish with one (1) closely attended fishing rod. No hand lines. No netting. Catch and release is not allowed. Snagging of fish is prohibited and will not qualify for prizes. Catfish must be brought to the park gatehouse before 2 p.m. to be weighed and logged on the same day that your Derby Entry Permit is valid. All catfish must be freshly caught, fresh in appearance, intact, and not overly stiff. Derby winners will be announced Friday, Sept. 8, via San Bernardino County Regional Parks’ social media outlets.
Vehicle entry fee is $8 weekdays and $10 on weekends. The fishing fee is $10 per person Monday through Wednesday and $12 per person Thursday through Sunday.
Glen Helen Regional Park is located at 2555 Glen Helen Parkway in San Bernardino. Mojave Narrows is located at 18000 Yates Road in Victorville. Guasti Regional Park is located at 800 N. Archibald Avenue in Ontario. Further Derby details, rules and regulations, and entry forms can be found at parks.sbcounty.gov/fishing-derby.
