Lake Cahuilla Catfish Derby Scheduled Sept. 23

The following is a news release from Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez:

LA QUINTA, CA — The Riverside County Regional Park and Open‑Space District is adding an extra catfish stock at Lake Cahuilla and holding a fishing derby that will be free for the community on Saturday at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park.

The derby will be held in the late afternoon/early evening, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest catfish caught, with prizes in adult and children’s divisions.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park will be open at 2 p.m. Saturday and stay open for recreation fishing until 9 p.m. Both admission and derby entry will be free for all who want to visit Lake Cahuilla on Saturday as well as fish.

The last regular stock of the catfish season for Lake Cahuilla was on September 1, with 900 pounds of catfish delivered to the lake. With the support of sponsors, the county park district is supplementing Lake Cahuilla with 2,000 pounds of catfish to make this derby special for anglers and the whole community. Supervisor V. Manuel Perez provided a grant of community improvement funding to stock Lake Cahuilla with 1,500 pounds of catfish that will be stocked Friday, and local business Yellow Mart donated 500 pounds of catfish, a $2,200 value, for the derby.

A state fishing license is required for all people over the age of 16. The license is not sold at the park, but can be purchased at local retailers and online.

Supervisor Perez welcomes all to participate in the fishing derby.

“As the weather finally starts to cool, we thought this would be a great time to celebrate Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park with a free fishing derby for the community,” said Supervisor Perez. “With a huge stock coming to Lake Cahuilla, there will be plenty of fish for the derby and to keep anglers fishing at the lake for some time! Bring the family and have fun at this beautiful place in our valley.”

The derby is hosted by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, the Desert Recreation District and Supervisor Perez.

Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is located at 58075 Jefferson Street, La Quinta, CA 92253. Participants should consider bringing sunblock and a hat or personal shade, chairs (optional), their fishing gear and their fishing license, which is not sold at the park, unopened bait, and water to stay hydrated. Park district staff emphasize quagga mussel prevention at Lake Cahuilla and inspect all fishing items at the entrance.