Cast a line: ODNR stocking pond for New Philadelphia Trout Derby at Tuscora Park

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
·3 min read
Greg Kipps, from Tiffin, cleans fish for anglers during the first trout derby at the Tuscora Park Pond in New Philadelphia last year. Kipp owns and runs Twisted Lines Lake Erie Charters. He attended the event to provide free fish-cleaning services.
Greg Kipps, from Tiffin, cleans fish for anglers during the first trout derby at the Tuscora Park Pond in New Philadelphia last year. Kipp owns and runs Twisted Lines Lake Erie Charters. He attended the event to provide free fish-cleaning services.

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The 2024 New Philadelphia Trout Derby is scheduled for April 27, and promises great fishing for people who patronize Tuscora Park.

The event, open to children 17 and younger, will run from 8 a.m. to noon that day at the Tuscora Park pond. Adults without children will be able to fish after that. The first Trout Derby at the park took place last year.

2023 derby: 'Something to remember forever': Trout Derby for kids, adults set for Tuscora Park

Prior to that, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, will be stocking the pond with rainbow trout 10 to 13 inches in length.

"It's a great way for kids to get out and fish with their families," said Councilman Mitch Pace, one of the organizers of the event. "Even after the trout derby, the next two or three weeks are going to be great fishing. So, if you're unable to make it on Saturday, the following day and throughout the next week or two are going to be great."

People will able to keep up to five trout that day. All other fish need to be returned to the pond. Everyone 16 and older needs a fishing license.

Prizes for participants

Pace said there will be multiple prizes for children participating in the derby, including 15 fishing rods. A grand prize trophy will be given for the biggest fish caught, though he noted that it won't be a trout because of their small size.

In addition, five fishing trips will be given away at a drawing held at 12:30. The trips include one with Chad Harmon, guide and owner of Ohio Muskie Guide Service, a catfish charter on one of the local lakes, a walleye trip to Lake Erie, a perch trip to Lake Erie and a catfish trip to Lake Erie.

Rainbow trout between 10 and 12 inches long are swept out of a holding tank at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia during delivery of fish from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife in 2023.
Rainbow trout between 10 and 12 inches long are swept out of a holding tank at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia during delivery of fish from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife in 2023.

Greg Kipps of Tiffin will be on hand to clean fish. There will be two food trucks, and members of the Tuscora Park Foundation will be selling donuts and water. Deerassic Park Education Center in Cambridge will have a bow simulator for kids to shoot.

"The derby itself is kind of turning into an outdoor event, so we're hoping for good weather," Pace said.

95 locations getting rainbow trout

The state is stocking the pond with trout free of charge. The money comes from the sale of fishing licenses. He noted that no city tax dollars are being used.

Tuscora Park is one of 95 locations around the state where ODNR will be releasing rainbow trout this spring. The stocking locations were chosen to give as many anglers as possible a chance to reel in these feisty fish in March, April, and May. Trout are sensitive to warm temperatures and typically do not survive through late spring so the best time to catch them is within two weeks of release.

Pace said he is anticipating a large number of participants on April 27. A fall derby is being planned with different species of trout.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: ODNR stocking pond for New Philadelphia Trout Derby at Tuscora Park