Youth fishing derby to reel in family fun this Saturday

Before the sun fully rises over the Madera Municipal Golf Course this Saturday, a quiet crowd will already be forming along the shoreline.

Buckets will rattle. Tackle boxes will snap open, and parents will help untangle fishing line while kids watch the water with wide-eyed anticipation, waiting for the moment a bobber finally dips beneath the surface. For many young anglers in Madera, it will be their very first cast.

The City of Madera's Spring 2026 Youth Fishing Derby returns Saturday, March 14, inviting children ages 3 to 15 to spend a morning outdoors learning the timeless patience of fishing and carrying on a tradition enjoyed by generations before them.

"Events like this are exactly what community is all about," said Mayor Cece Gallegos. "Families come together, kids make memories, and for a lot of them, this might be the first time they ever hold a fishing pole. Those are the kinds of moments that stay with you, and we're proud to make that possible for our families right here in Madera."

The derby will be held at 23200 Avenue 17. Registration opens at 5:30 a.m., fishing begins promptly at 6:30 a.m., and prizes will be awarded at 9:30 a.m.

Participants will compete in four age divisions: 3–5, 6–8, 9–11, and 12–15. Young fishers are asked to bring their own pole, bait, and a bucket or ice chest to hold their catch. Fish can be weighed any time during the event, but all weigh-ins stop promptly at 9:00 a.m. Life jackets are strongly recommended, and all participants must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Parks Department Program Coordinator Nicki Rincon and Derrick Sanchez, who helped revive the derby in recent years, say the event has quickly become one of the department's most rewarding programs.

“We brought this derby back because we wanted to give families something special that gets kids outside and connected with nature,” Rincon said. "Every year the excitement builds, and watching those kids light up when they catch their first fish is the best part.”

One reminder for eager anglers: fishing before the official 6:30 a.m. start time will result in immediate disqualification.

For more information, contact the City of Madera Parks and Community Services Department at (559) 661-5495 or parksinfo@madera.gov.