Fishing Derbies For Kids Will Return To Essex County For 2023

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Want to create your own “big fish story?”

Essex County will hold several free fishing derbies for local youth across the region this year. See the full list below.

Sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, each derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles.

Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby, organizers said.

Here’s when and where they will take place for 2023:

• Tuesday, May 16: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Pond, Center Street and Harrison Street, Orange. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 17: Essex County Irvington Park Pond, Grove Street and Lyons Avenue, Irvington. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, May 18: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, Caldwell/Essex Fells. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 23: Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 24: 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 7:15 p.m.
• Thursday, May 25: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Orange Reservoir, Paddle Boat area. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Saturday, June 3: Essex County Branch Brook Park Prudential Concert Grove, use Park Avenue or Clifton Street entrances, Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 10 a.m.

For more information, call 973-268-3500. In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted on www.essexcountynj.org. Cancelled fishing derbies will not be rescheduled.

“Our fishing derbies are an excellent opportunity for our children to enjoy the historic Essex County Park System in a different and fun way,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“You’ll have a great time creating your own ‘big fish’ stories and spending some quality time with your friends and family in some of the most beautiful parks in the area,” DiVincenzo added.

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