If you have any further questions, please call the Fishing Derby Director Lanny Jobe at 580-789-1029.
8th Annual “Take a Kid” Family Fishing Derby
April 24-25, 2020 (cancelled till further notice)
The Kaw Lake Association has discontinued its “Focus on Kids Fishing” event. For the past few years, they hosted the event at Kaw Lake (Pioneer Cove) every second Saturday of May (Mother’s Day weekend). The Blackwell Church of Christ has been conducting an annual event called “Take a Kid Fishing” Family Fishing Derby since 2011 at Kaw Lake (Sarge Creek). Since the “Focus on Kids” event is no longer offered, we are (with the blessing of the Kaw Lake Association) expanding our “Take a Kid” event to include their participant base along with ours. To avoid confusion, please note the following differences in these two events:
Purpose of Event:
To provide a FREE fishing event for families in the Kaw Lake area, with an emphasis on getting kids excited in the fishing sport.
Event Hosts and Sponsors:
The Blackwell Church of Christ and the Agape Church of Christ are the organizers and co-hosts of this event. Business owners, civic organizations, and individuals who have interest in kids getting involved in the outdoors graciously donate for the necessities, awards, prizes, and gear.
Official Fishing Times:
Anytime Friday 12:00AM through Saturday 4:00PM. Final weigh-in is 4:00PM on Saturday and ANYONE not in line by 4:00 p.m. WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to weigh in any remaining fish for the competition. The weigh station will be located at the Event Headquarters located at the Group Camp site at the Sarge Creek camping area (see other side). Participants may check in their fish anytime between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. We will have a fish fry once all the fish have been weighed in. After a 15-minute devotional, all winners will be announced, and prizes will be handed out. There will also be a drawing for prizes and a group photo.
Official Fishing Areas:
Any part of the Kaw Lake Reservoir system where public access for fishing is allowed. This includes the creeks that feed the lake, all public coves, shoreline, below the dam, and the Arkansas river as far north as the State Line.
Event Policies:
General Rules for all Participants:
Rules for Boat participants:
FREE Bait!
April 24-25, 2020 (cancelled till further notice)
The Kaw Lake Association has discontinued its “Focus on Kids Fishing” event. For the past few years, they hosted the event at Kaw Lake (Pioneer Cove) every second Saturday of May (Mother’s Day weekend). The Blackwell Church of Christ has been conducting an annual event called “Take a Kid Fishing” Family Fishing Derby since 2011 at Kaw Lake (Sarge Creek). Since the “Focus on Kids” event is no longer offered, we are (with the blessing of the Kaw Lake Association) expanding our “Take a Kid” event to include their participant base along with ours. To avoid confusion, please note the following differences in these two events:
- “Focus on Kids” was at Pioneer Cove; “Take a Kid” is for the whole lake system with headquarters located at Sarge Creek
- “Focus on Kids” charged a small fee; “Take a Kid” is FREE (includes T-Shirt)
- “Focus on Kids” was a one-day event with only a little more than an hour’s worth of fishing; “Take a Kid” is a two-day event (32 available hours of fishing!) with a final weigh-in time of 4:00PM on Saturday, April 25.
- “Focus on Kids” was just for kids; “Take a Kid” is for adults too (PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a send a kid fishing event; it’s a Take a kid fishing event!)
- Other features of “Take a Kid” fishing:
- FREE bait
- First, Second, and Third place trophies in each fish category (based on fish size) in the following age categories: 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17
- First, Second, and Third place prizes in each fish category (based on fish size) for all age categories including 18 and older
- Fish categories include: Crappie, Bass, Catfish, and Junk Fish (carp, drum, gar, buffalo, etc.)
- FREE Fish Fry at 5PM on Saturday
- Drawings for door prizes at the final gathering on Saturday following the Fish Fry at 5 (for participants and non-participants)
Purpose of Event:
To provide a FREE fishing event for families in the Kaw Lake area, with an emphasis on getting kids excited in the fishing sport.
Event Hosts and Sponsors:
The Blackwell Church of Christ and the Agape Church of Christ are the organizers and co-hosts of this event. Business owners, civic organizations, and individuals who have interest in kids getting involved in the outdoors graciously donate for the necessities, awards, prizes, and gear.
Official Fishing Times:
Anytime Friday 12:00AM through Saturday 4:00PM. Final weigh-in is 4:00PM on Saturday and ANYONE not in line by 4:00 p.m. WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to weigh in any remaining fish for the competition. The weigh station will be located at the Event Headquarters located at the Group Camp site at the Sarge Creek camping area (see other side). Participants may check in their fish anytime between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. We will have a fish fry once all the fish have been weighed in. After a 15-minute devotional, all winners will be announced, and prizes will be handed out. There will also be a drawing for prizes and a group photo.
Official Fishing Areas:
Any part of the Kaw Lake Reservoir system where public access for fishing is allowed. This includes the creeks that feed the lake, all public coves, shoreline, below the dam, and the Arkansas river as far north as the State Line.
Event Policies:
- Event sponsors and hosts are not chaperoning and or not responsible for the behavior and welfare of minors.
- Each child under 12 years old must have a parent or legal guardian accompaniment.
- Modest clothing is required--shorts are allowed if they are not too short! (We will follow typical Christian camp rules--No shorts shorter than 2" above the knee--no bikinis, halter tops, spaghetti straps)
- NOTE: This event DOES NOT include swimming and is not designed for water recreation such as for skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, or boat rides.
General Rules for all Participants:
- This is a church-hosted event; therefore, we always expect a family-friendly atmosphere!
- Participants must abide all state, lake, and wildlife regulations, including the requirement of a valid fishing license for those 16 and older
- Event hosts cannot take or accompany any minor without the knowledge and permission of a parent and legal guardian and must not ever be alone with a minor
- We are not responsible for the arrangement between boat owners and the participants who desire to fish from a boat. It is the responsibility of boat owners/operators to secure permission from parents/legal guardians of any minors that they are willing to take on a boat.
- A FREE fishing combo kit (rod and tackle) is available to kids ages 3-11 who register by the April 17th deadline. The combo kit will be distributed first to those who attend morning church services on Sunday, April 19th at either the Blackwell Church of Christ in Blackwell, or the Agape Church of Christ in Ponca City. They can be picked up at each church building throughout the week following, while supplies last. If supplies last, they may be picked up at headquarters as well
- All fish brought to the weigh station must be caught on Rod and Reel. No Trotlines, Juglines, Limblines, or Yo-Yo’s can be used to catch the fish that is entered. We trust you will honor our request and will not be making that determination at the weigh-in station. Your honesty is appreciated!
- You may keep all your fish or donate your fish for the Fish Fry. If you are willing to donate your fish, please be aware that we are only accepting catfish and/or crappie. We would be happy to assist if we are available.
- Sand bass are still a part of the competition and will include trophies to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for all youth age categories, as well as prizes for all age categories.
- Please note that Kaw Lake has a minimum length requirement of 14 inches for Largemouth Bass.
- There will be a trophy ceremony on Sunday, April 26 at both the Blackwell and Agape churches. More information will available at the event.
- Clarence Logan Award/Plaque—goes to the kid that has caught the most fish during the event.
Rules for Boat participants:
- Boat owners are responsible for all passengers on their boats
- We expect boats to comply with all state & wildlife regulations
- Lifejackets must be provided for each passenger and used accordingly to the state & wildlife regulations
- Permission must be granted by a parent/legal guardian before you can take on any minor (anyone under 18 years of age) as a passenger on your boat
FREE Bait!
- Each participant can collect 1-dozen minnows and 1 can of worms/per day at headquarters while supplies last.
- This is not a self-serve bait station and we will not distribute more than two dozen minnows per bait bucket!
