RANGELY | This weekend the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District is hosting their annual Fishing Derby at Kenney Reservoir as part of Colorado’s statewide Free Fishing Weekend. The weekend includes free camping and boating at Kenney Reservoir from Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3 and more than $2,500 in cash and prizes.
Youth Derby
Those 15 years old and younger can participate in the Youth Derby on Saturday, June 2, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Prizes will be offered for the longest trout and crappie and longest fish. The weigh-in and awards will take place at 1:30 p.m.
Teen/Family Derby
Anglers older than 15 can participate in the two-day adult derby beginning on Saturday at 9 a.m., running through Sunday with weigh-in and awards at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Prize categories include longest crappie and fish, shortest fish and heaviest stringer.
Getting Registered
Registration for the derbies will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with a mandatory meeting for all participants at 8:45 a.m. Rules and registration forms can be found at rioblancocowcd.org or the Chamber of Commerce office.
Colorado Free Fishing Weekend
Unlicensed fishing is offered across the state for the weekend, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife not requiring anglers of any age to purchase a fishing license. All other state fishing regulations are, however, still enforced. According to CPW the goal of the program is to increase interest in fishing, which they say is a major economic driver for the state, adding more than $1.9 billion each year to Colorado’s economy.
