Rohnert Park Fishing Derby

05/23/2026

GOOD MORNING ROHNERT PARK FISHING DERBY!!!

Registration will open at 7am at Roberts Lake. Fishing starts at 8am, ends at 10am.

Our sponsors are providing FREE coffee, hot chocolate, juice and snacks for kids and families. The world famous snow cones from the active 20-30 Club are also ready to go!

Please check in and register at the registration booth when you get to the lake.

If you have questions, please ask for Brian.

Have an amazing day fishing!!! Remember! This is for the kids!!!

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

Super excited about the fishing derby this Saturday from 8am to 10am at Roberts Lake. A friendly reminder to bring your own fishing poles and supplies for the kids as we do not provide them.

There is no cost to register and participate for kids under 15 years old.

Suggested arrival time is between 7am and 8am to register. Fishing starts at 8am.

Please message us if you have any questions!

05/05/2026

The lake stocking is underway and the order has been placed! We want to ensure every kid catches a fish at our event. We’re almost there, but we still need a few additional sponsors for the Derby to help cover the remaining costs. Please help spread the word, and reach out if you’re interested in supporting.

04/21/2026

Hello 2026 Fishing Derby supporters! We have a few announcements to make.

First, we are still looking for artwork submissions for the 2026 graphic. You can upload your submission and artwork using the link in the comments + find rules and details.

Second, we are opening up sponsorship and donation opportunities. We are focusing stocking trout in the lake a week ahead of time. If you are a business and would like to sponsor, or make a donation to help us with improving our event, please send us a message. We will be reaching out to previous supporters in the coming few days.

Thank you all for helping us to continue this great event and put on a wonderful experience for the kids!

-Brian Barrett

Send a message to learn more

01/10/2026

Hi folks! We are planning to hold the 2026 Fishing Derby at Roberts Lake on the morning of Saturday, May 23rd. This year, we are looking for groups / partners / vendors / sponsors to get involved to make this a great family fun event. Please reach out if you have any ideas or would like to get involved. More details to come.

Starting today, we are opening up the competition for the 2026 Artwork/Artist contest, which features the winning artwork on all t-shirts & the winner is given a plaque at the end of the derby. Deadline is April 1st for entries. Details can be found below.

05/26/2025

Well, in a blink of an eye, my final Rohnert Park Fishing derby is complete. And after 21 years, I can say it has been an honor and true pleasure running this event. I will definitely miss running the fishing derby, but I know it will be in great hands with the Active 20-30 Club of Rohnert Park and Cotati going forward.

My favorite part of running the derby was seeing all the smiles on all the kids’ faces and all the people I have met over the years, including any of the 200 sponsors that helped make the fishing derby FREE for all that have attended. Over the last 21 years the fishing derby has caught 2493 fish, with this year catching 88 fish. 88 fish means a fish was caught every 1 minute and 36 seconds. The fishing derby average, over the last 21years, is a fish caught every minute. As I always say, our goal is putting a smile on kids’ faces, one fish at a time!

The Artist of the Year, whose artwork is featured on the official t-shirts, is Ava Panizzera. Ava also received a plaque at the end of the derby. The biggest fish, a 1.3 pound trout, was caught by Summer Bandner, who brought home the Biggest Fish trophy. And 12 lucky kids, who had never caught a fish before, earned a certificate. Every kid that caught a fish received a medal saying “I caught a fish at the Rohnert Park Fishing Derby”.

Thank you for all my awesome sponsors, as without you I could not make this event FREE to the public. Special thanks to Rotary Club of Cotati bringing snacks, Active 20-30 Club for world famous snow cones and hot chocolate, Redwood Empire Bass Club helping rig poles and the Rohnert Park police and fire.

Also, a BIG thank you for all my awesome volunteers that help run the derby and make me look good. : ) Thank you all, as I could not put this event on with out all of you: Jill Zschach, Rachael Zschach, Craig Zschach, Lisa Myhre Scott Courier, Scott Brady, Steve Skanderson and the Redwood Empire Bass Club.

Looking for a way to spend some quality time with your kids?
Take them fishing. . . .
At the end of the day, the kid will remember the fish.
At the end of a lifetime, the kid will remember the person who took them.

05/24/2025

Roberts Lake just was stocked with about 400 Rainbow Trout. Bring your nets as a couple were 5lbers. See ya tomorrow morning.

05/19/2025

Come join me Saturday May 24th, 2025 from 8am-10am for the 40th annual Rohnert Park Fishing Derby.

How to catch a Bluegill in 2 minutes at Roberts Lake. It's FREE for kids 15 and under. You must bring your own fishing pole, but we have FREE worms and Power bait. NEED HELP with set up or catching a fish, ASK FOR KEN! No fish secrets here! : ) I have FREE #10 and #12 hooks, just ask.

Hope to see you this Saturday May 24th.
Thanks Ken

40th annual Rohnert Park Fishing Derby Saturday May 24th, 2025 8M-10AMFREE for kids 15 and under. Bring your fishing pole and if you need help setting up the...

04/03/2025

It's that time a year again, as Saturday May 24th, 2025 will be the 40th annual Rohnert Park Fishing Derby for kids. It's FREE for kids 15 and under. Bring you own fishing gear.

This will be my 21st year running this event and sadly my last year running the Fishing Derby, as I'm going to step down. It's been a pleasure running the derby for the last 21 years. I'm working with the Active 20/30 club to continue this great city tradition. I hope you can make it out to this year.

Let me know if you have any questions?

Thanks Ken
www.fishing-derby.org
40th Annual Rohnert Park Fishing Derby
Saturday May 24th 8am-10am
Bring your own fishing gear, as we don't supply fishing gear

Free Kids Fishing Derby in Rohnert Park, CA