T-R FILE PHOTO The Kids Fishing Derby is set for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Riverside Cemetery’s Lake Woodmere. The annual Kids Fishing Derby, held at Riverside Cemetery’s Lake Woodmere, took place Saturday morning. Cosponsored by the cemetery and the Marshall County Izaak Walton League, the derby allowed youngsters and their families a chance to fish in a fun, safe setting. The event was free and open to the public.

The Kids Fishing Derby, being held at Riverside Cemetery’s Lake Woodmere from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, has become an annual tradition.

Cosponsored by the cemetery and the Marshall County Izaak Walton League, the derby is free and open to the public. Kids 12 and under will compete for prizes. They do not need to have a fishing license. Bait will be provided and there will be a limited supply of fishing poles available to use for the event, so bringing your own is encouraged.

“If we can teach a kid how to fish we are half way to making an outdoor person out of them,” Izaak Walton League member Pam Strobbe said.

Cemetery General Manager Dorie Tammen said the event first began as a way to control the pond’s fish population.

“The pond has a lot of little fish in it,” she said. “You can’t help but catch a fish — it’s so overstocked. If you can’t catch a fish here, you can’t catch one anywhere.”

Prizes will be given for the largest and smallest fish caught, for both boys and girls. Door prizes will also be given throughout the event. Prizes for the event have been contributed by Fire House Aquatics, Marshalltown Theisen’s, the Center Street Dairy Queen and the Marshall County Izaak Walton League.

Volunteers with the Izaak Walton League will be on hand to help kids who may be new to the sport learn how to fish. Help includes baiting hooks and taking fish off the hooks.

Hot dogs and beverages will be available to purchase.

Tammen said the event will go on rain or shine, unless lightening is detected.

Past years have seen youngsters catch hundreds of fish, including a little girl who once caught 100 fish, as she caught one every time she cast a line.

In past years, the size of the largest bullhead came in at 12.8 ounces, with many weighing 7-10 ounces. The smallest bullheads come in at around 0.25 ounces each, on average.

“It’s a lot of fun. We have a lot of families come tot his,” Tammen said.

No fishing experience is necessary.

The Izaak Walton League was founded in 1922 and is one of the country’s oldest conservation organizations with a network of more than 250 local chapters nationwide. The Marshall County League is located south of Marshalltown at 2601 Smith Avenue, consisting of 82 acres of land. To learn more about the league, call 641-751-1121. Riverside Cemetery, 611 N. Center St., may be reached at 641-753-7891.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com