Rules
Fish Derby Rules
1. Current Nature Center, Park, and Concessionaire staff, hosts, and volunteers cannot participate in the Fish Derby but
their families can, as long as their immediate family member is not volunteering at the Weigh-In Station when their fish is
weighed.
2. Only individuals 4 years old or older, who have paid a registration fee and have a valid DERBY ID BADGE, are eligible to win. The Derby ID Badge must be worn in a visible location above the waist during derby fishing hours.
3. Participants must possess a valid California fishing license (except for those under 16 years of age) and follow all
California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. Participants must use sport fishing equipment. Use of
commercial fishing devices, or fishing in restricted areas will result in immediate disqualification.
4. The derby fishing begins at 6 a.m. on April 20, 2024 and ends at 12 noon on April 21, 2024. Contestants must fish in Cachuma Lake during the tournament hours and may fish from shore at any time during the derby including Saturday night. A flare will be fired at the harbor to start the derby on Saturday and to end the derby on Sunday.
5. Each person registered in the derby is eligible to win one of the donated door prizes and must be present at the Sunday Awards Program to win a door prize. A person need not be present to win the raffle prizes or the guaranteed cash prizes.
6. If the lake is closed due to weather conditions, registrants may continue to fish from shore.
7. Fish Registration: Present the fish you caught (in Cachuma Lake) along with your official Derby ID Badge to the officials at
the Weigh-in Station during the following hours:
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, and
6 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Gutted fish will not be accepted for judging or qualify for prizes.
8. Ties between fish of equal weight will be decided by the longest length. Stomach contents are subject to examination.
9. Verification of fish awards will be made by Fish Derby officials, whose decisions will be final.
For more information about the derby, see our FAQ page.