Planning is well underway for the 2023 Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls Kids Fishing Derby. The derby will take place the morning of Saturday, May 13th at the Mill Pond in downtown Menomonee Falls.  The contest is free and is open to all boys and girls age three through 16 that reside or attend school in the Menomonee Falls area.  All participants will receive a t-shirt and door prize. Trophies will be awarded to boys and girls in five age divisions for the longest fish and most fish caught during the contest.

Registration for the event will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Mill Pond Shelter.  During registration, each child will receive a t-shirt, fish recording log, and a ticket for a door prize.  The fishing contest will be from 10:00 AM to Noon.  At Noon, participants will want to hand-in their fish recording log to one of many volunteers that will be on site.  Trophies will be awarded to contest winners shortly after Noon.  Door prizes can be claimed at the registration table anytime between 10:00 AM and Noon.

We anticipate that the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch will be selling food at the pavilion at the Mill Pond & Shelter from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, although we will provide confirmation of this once it is received.

Please bring your own fishing equipment.  Only a limited supply of bait will be provided.  Children under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult.  Those 16 years old and older must have a fishing license.

Over the years, sponsors and supporters of this event include the Menomonee Falls Police Department, the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch, the Village of Menomonee Falls, RB Enterprises, Fleet Farm, Krueger’s Entertainment Center, Cops and Kids Foundation, Sandy Spring Farm, Kwik Trip, Tru Turn, Menomonee Falls CE & Rec, and the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls.

If there are any questions, or if you would like to volunteer your time the morning of the derby, please contact Dustin Koehler at 262-370-9529 or Sue Carney at 608-509-3117.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at the Derby!

Download 2023 Fishing Derby Flyer

The event is truly a community event with the Village of Menomonee Falls supplying the permits for the event and money for stocking Mill Pond with fish; the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch operating the concession stand; The Menomonee Falls Police Department supplying security and the public address system; the Wisconsin DNR and a local fish hatchery stocking trout, bluegills and bass in the pond and the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls running the event.

Fishing Derby Chair: Sue Carney

Fishing Derby Co-chair: Dustin Koehler