Slade Elder, 6, from Parkersburg holds two trout he caught at the 2024 Parkersburg Fishing Derby. The 44th edition will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the City Park and Southwood Park ponds. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG — The annual Parkersburg Fishing Derby, where youthful anglers compete to hook the biggest fish, will be held this weekend.

Online registration is underway for the annual fishing derby at the City Park and Southwood Park ponds, held for the 44th year since the late Mayor Alvin K. Smith organized the event.

“We’re hoping for good weather,” said Bill Vincent, director of the Wood County Recreation Commission.

Along with numerous sponsors, the derby for kids from 3-14 years old is organized by the recreation commission and Administrative Assistant Kela West. Volunteers from the community help with the derby, Vincent said.

Representatives from the Parkersburg and Parkersburg South High School football teams will be at City Park and Southwood Park, respectively, to help the kids, with tasks like baiting hooks, Vincent said.

Trout from the Mountaineer Trout Farm will be stocked on Wednesday at both parks, Vincent said. About 800 pounds of fish will be dumped into the ponds, he said.

“Four hundred pounds in each pond,” Vincent said.

Included will be one golden trout for each pond. Whoever catches those will receive a special trophy.

But it’s been three years since a golden trout was caught on derby day, West said.

“The fishing derby is more than just a chance to reel in a big one,” she said. “It’s a fun way for kids to learn patience, connect with nature, enjoy simple moments and make lasting memories with family and the community.”

Online registration for the derby is underway at https://tinyurl.com/2nxzmnz7 through the end of the week, Vincent said. The event is free and participants can also register in person on derby day at 8 a.m. Saturday at both parks. However, T-shirts are $10 if pre-registering and $15 if registering on Saturday morning, Vincent said.

Those pre-registering have a chance for a lifetime hunting and fishing license. Last year’s recipient of the license was Gavyn Davis at Southwood.

The derby begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon.

Kids compete in the 3-6, 4-10 and 11-14 age groups with first-, second- and third-place awards given.

Last year’s grand champion at Southwood Park was Aliyah Burgess with a 17 1/2 inch trout. A 32 1/2 inch carp caught by Kaden Dillon was the largest non-trout hooked at Southwood.

Lucas Richards was the grand champion at City Park with a 17-inch trout. Kaden Wright caught the largest non trout at City Park, a 23 5/8 inch carp.

About 300 kids participated in the 2024 derby, Vincent. He expects another large turnout on Saturday.

“It was really big last year,” Vincent said. “It’s a great event for the youth in the area.”

The fishing derby is one of more than a dozen programs and events offered by the recreation commission. Among those are girls and boys elementary and small fry basketball, winter volleyball, indoor and summer pickleball, elementary track, a free summer camp for elementary-age children, tennis, teeball, the West Virginia Honey festival and the Harvest Moon Festival.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.