Bass Lake Fishing Derby has many entrants and lots of fun

It was a fin-tastic affair for anglers and others as the Bass Lake Fishing Derby took place over a sunny Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. It’s sponsored by the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce.

The event officially kicked off Bass Lake’s Summer of Celebration honoring the 125th anniversary of Bass Lake and the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

“It was a really fun weekend,” said Michelle Miller of Miller’s Landing.

During the annual two-day derby, registered attendees have a chance to pull up a portion of $55,000 in tagged fish. That’s because 1,000 tagged rainbow trout are released into the lake prior to the derby — each worth varying amounts.

The abundance includes 847 tagged fish worth $20, 150 worth $100, one fish worth $5,000 and two grand prize tagged fish worth $10,000 each.

“The weather was beautiful — a stark contrast to last year,” Miller continued.

The 2026 Derby drew a total of 1,332 participants with 64 tagged fish caught (compared with 129 fish in 2025).

When it came to fish tagged for $20, Miller said the total was 51. And for fish tagged at $100 the total was 13 for a final total payout of $2,320.

“Saturday was much busier for catching tagged and untagged fish. Despite the low prize payout everyone seemed to really enjoy the weekend and the hats!”

Early registrants for the derby receive collectible custom hats each year and the current version is particularly fetching with a patriotic interpretation of a fish with an American f lag in honor of the celebrations in 2026.

The 2025 derby was historic with Shannon Byrne of North Fork snagging a grand prize $10,000 fish and becoming the first woman to do so.

While no one by end of ’26 derby reeled in the biggest prizes, some of the best rewards were spending time with friends, family and fish.

Among the fortunate fisherfolk were father and son John Dare and Timmy Dare. They’ve been doing the Bass Lake Fishing Derby for 30 years.

“When Timmy was about four he caught a $100 fish and has been hooked ever since,” Miller explained, with the pun fully intended.

Now, with three grand prize fish still presumably swimming around in the clear waters of Bass Lake, there’s more time to collect.

If you were registered for the 2026 Bass Lake Fishing Derby and have your confirmation email available and you catch one of the big three — you may collect $500.

Not bad for a day on the lake.

Visit www.basslakechamber.com and www.yosemitethisyear.com for more on the 2026 Summer of Celebration at Bass Lake.