After a two-year hiatus, due to the pandemic, the Lake Buffalo Fishing Derby is back. This year’s derby will be held Saturday, May 14, at Buffalo Lake, located off of Rt. 28, north of Bartow. The event is sponsored by the U. S. Forest Service, Pocahontas County Parks and Recreation and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.
The derby is open to all children ages two-to-13. A section of the lake will be netted off and stocked with trout. Participants will be allowed to catch up to two fish. Prizes will be awarded for most pounds caught in each age group. Special prize drawings will also be held. There is no entry fee.
Due to limited shoreline, each age group will fish at the following designated times: ages two and three from 9 to 9:30 a.m.; ages four and five from 9:40 to 10:10 a.m.; ages six and seven from 10:20 to 10:50; ages eight and nine from 11 to 11:30; ages10 and 11 from 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.; and ages 12 and 13 from 12:20 to 12:50 p.m.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be ongoing throughout the event.
In addition, for the safety of the children participating in the fishing derby, the boat ramp will be unavailable for use from 9 p.m. Friday, May 13, until 3 p.m. May 14.
For more information, contact the Forest Service at 304-456-3335 or Parks and Recreation at 304-799-7386.