5th Annual Veterans Fishing Derby Returns to Lake Cahuilla

The 5th Annual Veterans Fishing Derby is set for this Saturday at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in La Quinta.

Gates open at 5:30 a.m., with the tournament running from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participation is free for veterans, while non-veterans can join the competition for a $5 cash tournament fee collected at the gate. Proceeds will benefit local veterans groups.

Organizers say more than 4,000 pounds of trout are being stocked for the event. Local business Yellow Mart is providing roughly half of the supply. Fish sizes range from one to one-and-a-half pounds, with some trophy-sized trout weighing up to six or seven pounds.

The event is hosted by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, the office of Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, and the Desert Recreation District.

Organizers say the derby is about more than just fishing, it’s an opportunity for families and veterans to gather outdoors and connect.