2024 Youth Fishing Derby At Grover Cleveland Park (What To Know)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Get ready to bait those hooks: Essex County is bringing back its annual youth fishing derbies for 2024.

Kids and teens 15 and under are welcome to test their angling skills at the free competitions, which will take place over a two-week period at seven locations throughout the county park system (see list below).

Here’s what to know about this year’s events, which are sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs:

“Each derby is free and open to children ages 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles. Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby.”

The fishing derbies will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, May 21: Essex County Irvington Park Pond, Grove Street and Lyons Avenue, Irvington. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 22: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Pond, Center Street and Harrison Street, Orange. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Thursday, May 23: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, Caldwell/Essex Fells. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 28: Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 29: Essex County Verona Park Boathouse, Bloomfield Avenue and Lakeside Avenue, Verona. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Thursday, May 30: Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Cherry Lane, Orange Reservoir, Paddle Boat area. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7:15 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1: Essex County Branch Brook Park Prudential Concert Grove, use Park Avenue or Clifton Street entrances, Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 10 a.m.

For more information, call 973-268-3500. In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be posted on www.essexcountynj.org. Cancelled fishing derbies will not be rescheduled.

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