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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Fishing enthusiasts from around the nation are expected to visit Lake County this spring for the 42nd annual Catfish Derby.
Considered the biggest catfish derby west of the Mississippi, the three-day event brings crowds to Clearlake Oaks. Known as a family affair, last year’s top winners all attended and fished as family units.
More than half the participants come from outside Lake County. Derby organizer Matthew St. Clair said lodging, shopping, food and beverage establishments, and other businesses should notice a boost in consumer sales.
The derby dates back over 40 years. “It began as a small affair, sometimes skipping a year here and there,” said St. Clair. “Now, routinely, derby entries top 900.”
Check in is at derby headquarters at the fire station on 12655 E. Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.
Fishing begins at noon on Friday, May 15, and closes at noon on Sunday, May 17.
After fish weighing is complete and the leaderboard is updated, the awards ceremony begins. Cash awards and prizes totaling $10,000 are announced. The top award in the adult division is $5,000 and $100 in each of the two kid divisions.
Throughout the three days of fishing, raffle tickets are sold along with derby memorabilia including T-shirts and hats.
On Sunday, everyone is invited to attend the awards ceremony and enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch put on by the Northshore Fire volunteers.
Entry forms have been mailed to past participants. St. Clair advises anyone who has not received an entry form in the mail to check the derby website for details and to call the derby line at 707-596-0248 with any questions.
It is well known among returning anglers that early entries qualify for the discounted price of $50 if received by 11 p.m., Thursday, May 14; after that, the entry fee is $60. As always, kids 15 and under pay $10. No entries are accepted after 11 p.m. on Friday.
Last year 949 adults and children registered for the derby. “That’s a high number but this year may be higher,” St. Clair said. “Like last year, the water conditions are good but the recent news of a record-breaking catch on the lake has many excited about this year’s prospects.”
Dennis Locke, former derby organizer, agreed. “Word of the 44.63-pound catfish caught by derby regular Vince Mack from Sacramento spread quickly. Mack smashed the former record, a 37.04-pound catfish caught by Herb Cornwall in 2024,” he said.
Locke recalled that Mack had been fishing the derby for 20 years, never catching a fish big enough to place on the leaderboard. “Then on Valentine's Day, while fishing with his wife, he landed a catfish that has been the talk of the town for weeks.”
“I spoke with Mack who assured me he and his brother-in-law will be back for this year’s derby,” Locke said. “We’re all eager to hear more about his record-breaking account.”
The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association sponsors the derby. All proceeds go right back into the community.
“We support sports, education, and elder programs,” St. Clair said.
St. Clair, who is also president of the association, encourages folks to visit the association website, www.clearlakeoaks.org and consider joining the group.
“Everyone is welcome to join; we meet the last Thursday of the month at the Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks. We enjoy dinner together and bring in speakers to help us stay informed on activities of interest to our communities,” St. Clair said.
