Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler has announced the launch of the fifth Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby. The Derby will run from April 1 through September 7 and is open to children between the ages of four and eighteen who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocks about 38,000 trout yearly in Orange County waters. In addition, the Orange County Federation of Sportsmen stock trout in several waters with public fishing access. There are 86 named lakes in Orange County and hundreds more unnamed lakes and ponds that contain several species of fish of interest to the angler. Orange County also has many miles of rivers and streams to fish in as well. The Hudson, Delaware, Neversink, Ramapo, and Wallkill Rivers and several small streams have public access for fishing.
If you do not own a boat, it’s no problem. There is plenty of access to shore fishing in several parks located throughout Orange County! Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park have good fishing opportunities for many species of fish. Winding Hills Park run by Orange County is also a popular destination for anglers.
The Youth Fishing Derby is part of District Attorney Hoovler’s Community Outreach Program. fish entered in the contest must be legally caught from anywhere in New York State. Contestants must adhere to all current New York State fishing regulations. Fresh and saltwater fish are eligible to be entered into the contest. To enter, email a photo of the contestant holding the fish, as well as the child’s first name and an adult contact phone number, to dafishingcontest@gmail.com. Each angler can enter up to three fish photos during the contest, to have multiple chances to win. Ten winners will be drawn at random from all entries received during the contest dates. Each angler is limited to one prize package. All photos entered in the contest become the property of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby.
PRIZE PACKAGE: Each winner will receive an Orange County District Attorney’s Office limited t-shirt and a Mystery Tackle Box Bass Fishing Kit. Bonus prize: The first winner drawn will also receive a $100 gift card.