The 20th Annual Jake's Charity Fishing Derby, the only derby on Lake Tahoe, will take place on Sunday, June 2nd as anglers from around the region try to reel in over $1500 in prize money.

The blush of dawn cracks like an egg in the Eastern sky across Lake Tahoe. From their vessels, fishermen move in eager purpose setting deep-water lines and minnowed tackle towards the water’s deep bottom. In the year-round game of Lake Tahoe angling, sports enthusiasts pursue freshwater species such as Kokanee Salmon, White Fish, Rainbow and German Brown.

During Jake’s Annual Charity Fishing Derby, the Mackinaw, Tahoe’s glamour fish, outreach all other local species for bragging rights and prize money. Mackinaws generally swim in deeper waters between 100 and 600 feet. They range between 3 and 8 pounds, but can grow up to 20 pounds or more. The lake record for Mackinaw is 37-pounds, 6 ounces, caught in 1974 by Robert Anderson off Camp Richardson. A new derby record was made in 2012 by Al Younger with the largest Mackinaw trout weighing in at 26.32lbs. This broke the previous record in that category set in 2003 by team Mussman/Grimes/Frautshi of a 21 lb. Mackinaw. In 2012, Al Younger actually won in two categories (an unprecedented occurence) with the largest Mackinaw $1,000 and the largest Brown of the day $500.

All entries must be caught in Lake Tahoe by boat, pier, inner tube, or from the shore on the day of the tournament between an hour before sunrise and noon. Prize money is awarded based on the weight of the fish.  The largest Mackinaw hooked nets in a $1,000 prize; the largest German Brown $500; the biggest rainbow $250. Weigh-in is judged in front of Jake’s lakeside deck.

All proceeds for the 2013 event go to the Mike Kise Medical Relief Fund and Tahoe Safe Alliance. During its twenty year history the derby has raised well over $50,000 to support scholarships and other local non-profit organizations. 

Signups need to register at Jake’s On The Lake or Pete N’ Peter’s tavern in Tahoe City by 5pm, Saturday, June 1st. The $50 entry donation includes Derby T-shirt, raffle entry and Jake’s buffet brunch.

For more Fishing Derby details, information and reservations please call (530) 583-0188 or visit www.jakestahoe.com