Isabella Lake Fishing Derby News & Info

The 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is fast
approaching and the enthusiasm is growing. With over
$200,000 in prizes up for grabs, which includes
eleven trout valued at $10,000. each and one trout
worth $21,000, this years event is the largest yet.
To add to the fun, the award for the longest trout is
back this year, with an added second and third place
cash prize.

Since November, volunteers from the Fish & Game
Habitat Club and the community, have been feeding and
watching over the 15,000 pounds of trout which will
be released prior to the start of the derby.

Days leading up to the nation’s largest amateur trout
derby, a fourth load of Alpers trout is expected to
be delivered to the lake. The 1,200 pounds of  trophy
trout from the Inland Aquaculture Group, will
complement the three loads already delivered earlier
this year.

Thirty days following the three day main event, those
registered to participate in the 2010 Isabella Lake
Fishing Derby, will also have the chance to cash in.
Details will be available at derby headquarters
during derby days.

There is plenty of room for campers and anglers
looking for overnight accommodations, according to
Forest Service officials.

Pioneer Point, Tillie Creek, Paradise Cove, Hungry
Gulch and Boulder Gulch campgrounds are on
first-come, first-served bases at $20 per night. Camp
9 also has plenty of sites available at $17 per
night. In addition, overnight camping is allowed at
Auxiliary Dam, Old Isabella Road and the South Fork
Recreation Area, with a daily fee of $10 or you can
purchase an annual pass for $50. Stine Cove and
Hanning Flat are also available free of charge. As a
reminder, camping is limited to 14 days out of a 30
day period.

According to Forest officials, visitors can set up
their recreation vehicles in developed campsites
prior to the weekend event. However, visitors must
occupy the site and not just park a vehicle and
trailers cannot be unoccupied for more than 24 hours.

For the fishing derby weekend only, the Forest
Service has agreed to open up additional areas for
overnight camping. These areas include Engineer
Point; along the beach area west of Paradise Cove
campground, Kissack Cove; the north and south
shoreline of Boulder Gulch and the shoreline between
French Gulch Group Area and Boulder Gulch. For these
areas, visitors can begin to set up campsites on
Thursday, March 25 at 6:00 a.m. If visitors set up
their campsites earlier they may be cited. The
special camping areas will remain open until Monday,
March 29 at 6:00 p.m.

To register for the 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby,
go to http://derby.kernrivervalley.com

Danny Zide, with the Kern River Hatchery, weigh the trout in
preparation of the 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby.
(photos by: Rex Emerson)

The third load of Alpers trout was delivered to Isabella
Lake on Wednesday, February 17th. This load, consisting of
1,200 pounds of trophy trout, from the Inland Aquaculture
Group, will complement the two loads already delivered
earlier this year in preparation of the 21st Annual
Isabella Lake Fishing Derby.  To help make the nation’s
largest amateur trout derby the most exciting yet, a forth
load of these fish, weighing one and one half pounds and
more are expected shortly before the start of the derby.

With over $200,000. in prizes at stake, the excitement is
building for this year’s event. This year, there will be
eleven trout with a prize value of $10,000 each, and to
commemorate this being the 21st annual event, there will be
one trout worth $21,000. To add to the fun, the award for
the longest trout is back this year, with an added second
and third place cash prize.  If you have not yet entered
the 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, which will be
taking place March 27, 28, & 29th, and you wish be be kept
up to date with our activities, please visit our website:
http://derby.kernrivervalley.com

Les Johnson, Fish and Game Habitat Club member, helps with the
delivery of 1,200 pounds of Alpers trout. Fred Roach (left) watches
for any trout that may be in trouble.

With the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby fast approaching, there
is a lot of work being done to make this the best event ever.
Earlier this week, a second delivery of Alpers trout were
brought to Isabella Lake. Prior to the derby, the Kern River
Valley Chamber of Commerce plans to have two more truckloads
of Alpers trout planted in the lake.

Since November, volunteers from the Fish & Game Habitat
Club and the community, have been feeding and watching over
the trout that will be released prior to the start of the
derby.

As of today, those wishing to register for the 21st Annual
Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, can do so by going to our website:
http://derby.kernrivervalley.com

The U.S. Forest Service also announced today the boat dock
at Launch 19, located on the west side of Engineer Point at
Lake Isabella will be removed for repairs on Friday,
February 12. It is necessary to make these repairs for public
safety and to prepare for the upcoming Isabella Lake Fishing
Derby. It is expected to have the dock repaired and operational
by Monday, March 1.

Repairs include; general maintenance, replacing strapping
that holds the float under the dock, replacement of bolts
to secure the metal handrails, and replace all ten cleats
on the dock.

Over the last two months, Forest Service personnel have
repaired three docks located at the South Fork Recreation
Area, Old Isabella Road and Tillie Creek. With no water
near the Tillie Creek campground this dock remains on high
ground. However it will be back up and operational when the
water level of Isabella Lake rises. With the low lake
level, South Fork Recreation Area and Old Isabella Road
will be the only boat docks available while Launch 19 is
being repaired.

The Forest Service appreciates the public’s patience while
these necessary repairs are being completed.


Lester Johnson from the Fish & Game Habitat Club helps with this weeks planting of the Alpers trout.
(photos by: Rex Emerson)

(via Isabella Lake Fishing Derby & U.S. Forest Service)

A quick note to let you know the entry forms for the
2010 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby are now available
for download. The link is located at our website:

http://derby.kernrivervalley.com

Topping the list of prizes, eleven trout worth $10,000.
and one trout worth $21,000., the 21st Annual Isabella
Lake Fishing Derby is shaping up to be the best yet…