CRAWFORD COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Area families are invited to cast a line and enjoy a morning outdoors as Crawford County Fish and Game hosts its annual youth fishing derby this Saturday, May 9.
The event will take place at the club’s ponds, located at 3477 State Route 98 in Bucyrus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., though organizers will continue registering participants throughout the morning. Fishing starts at 9 a.m., and a free hot dog lunch will be served at 11 a.m.
Open to all youth ages 16 and under, the derby is completely free and designed to bring kids and families together for a fun, hands-on outdoor experience. Participants will be registered upon arrival, with organizers keeping track of each child’s catch throughout the morning.
The fishing derby has been a tradition for the club for many years, with a short pause during COVID. Now, organizers are excited to bring it back and continue building on it each year.
“This is a fun event that brings families together to enjoy the outdoors,” said Vince Marks, president of Crawford County Fish and Game. “The kids get pretty competitive with each other.”
In addition to fishing, kids can also check out a BB gun range and an archery range, provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources along with Crawford County Game Warden Nathan Cass. These extra activities give kids something else to enjoy if they need a break from fishing.
Several prizes will be handed out throughout the event, including recognition for the first fish caught, the most fish caught, and the longest fish. A limited number of free fishing poles will also be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with additional equipment available to borrow for the day.
The event is supported by several local partners. Organizers would like to thank Lafontaine Livewell for supplying bait at a discounted rate, as well as Pheasants Forever for helping cover those costs. Additional thanks go to the Crawford County Trap Shooters, led by Austin Strouse, and the Shooting Stars 4-H Club, led by Raven McDaniels, for their help with the club’s recent clean-up day and preparing for the event.
Beyond the competition and prizes, the event carries a bigger purpose.
“Our board members strive to reach out to our area youth to foster a lifelong love of the outdoors,” Marks said. “We take a lot of pride in getting kids to catch their first fish or learn about gun safety.”
Organizers hope the derby not only creates lasting memories but also highlights the recreational opportunities available locally, including fishing, rifle and pistol ranges, and archery for members.
Kids are welcome to bring their own fishing poles and tackle, though bait and a limited number of poles will be provided. The ponds will be stocked for the event, and all fishing will be catch and release.
Participants are encouraged to arrive before 9 a.m., and a parent or guardian should be present for safety. In the event of bad weather, attendees are encouraged to watch the club’s Facebook page for any updates or possible rescheduling.