Derbies get kids into fishing

Spring fishing derbies are a great way to introduce kids to angling, and there are several in the Nutmeg TU area.

The Fairfield PAL will hold its annual derby Saturday, April 7, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Gould Manor Park, 749 Holland Hill Road, Fairfield. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The Fairfield PAL Trout Derby is open to ages 3 to 15; prizes are awarded for the largest and smallest fish.

The 50th Milford Children’s Trout Derby, sponsored by the Milford Striped Bass Club, will be held Saturday, May 5. Trout Derby co-chairmen Shawn and Jenn Lalond have been organizing and running the event for more than 10 years. They can be reached at poolshark442@aol.com.

The Stratford Recreation Dept. is having its annual Catch-and-Release Fishing Derby for children of all ages on Saturday, May 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., at Brewster Pond in Stratford. The fee is $5; register April 2-May 4 online at www.townofstratford.com/recreation or in the Recreation Dept. office at 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford.

The 15th annual Monroe Police Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, May 19, from 6 to 9 a.m. at Wolf Park’s Great Hollow Lake in Monroe. The event is open, free of charge, to children 3 to 15. Prizes are awarded for the heaviest fish in the age groups 5 and under, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-15.