Grover Cleveland Park Fishing Derby Set for Saturday

The Grover Cleveland Park pond is stocked and ready for the upcoming fishing derby — as evidenced by the wide mouth bass pictured above caught recently by Mike DeFrance using a fly rod. 

The annual derby at the Caldwell-Essex Fells park will take place on Saturday, May 4. Registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby starts at 9 a.m., with prizes awarded at 11:15 a.m. The derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger, accompanied by an adult. (Sorry Mike, but you're too old!)

Children are asked to bring their own fishing poles, bait and buckets. Prizes are awarded for the first fish and most fish caught in different age categories.

The remainder of the fishing derby schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, May 16: Essex County Verona Park Boathouse, Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue, Verona. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 8:15 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18: Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11:15 a.m.

The Grover Cleveland Park fishing derby is co-sponsored by the Roseland Recreation Department.