Catfish Derby returns for 2021 with big turnout
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual Catfish Derby returned this month, with record registrations and lots of big fish.
Timing is everything. The 37th annual Catfish Derby was canceled in 2020, one of the county’s first major events to be a casualty to the pandemic.
In 2021, the Derby planners had a tough decision to make: Forego the Derby one more year or change it up to meet the COVID-19 restrictions and, hopefully, get enough entries to cover the upfront cash outlay and prizes required.
“We made the right decision,” said Derby Director Dennis Locke. “We actually had a record number of pre-registrants and more total entries than in 2019.”
Locke added, “In 2019 it rained and we registered 781 anglers. This year, we registered 882.”
“The pandemic threw us for a loop. We spun our wheels a little then took a leap of faith,” said Camille Gouldberg, president of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
For 37 years, the business association has sponsored the Derby. The proceeds support the Clearlake Oaks community including schools, sports, senior programs and other activities.
Throughout the three-day fishing tournament, the grins on the faces of the children and adults spoke volumes.
Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks has been fishing with her parents since she was 2.
Lillie brought in her biggest catch ever, a 17.88-pound catfish, scoring fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division.
In the same division, Scarlett Riordan of Lakeport scored first place, winning $100 with her 22.43-pound catch. Scarlett is 8 years old and has been fishing with her family since she was a youngster.
In the two kid divisions, seven of the 10 winners were locals, the remaining three were from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Marysville.
A complete list of the winners can be found on the Business Association website under derby standings, www.clearlakeoaks.org.
Robert Cooker, a first-time derby participant from Sacramento, was all smiles holding his $5,000 first prize check for his 23.72-pound catch.
Cooker said he remembered fishing as a kid but had only recently taken up fishing as an adult. “My birthday was May 11,” he said. “It’s been a good birthday week!”
Asked if he would be back next year, Cooker said yes. “Heck, I’ll probably be back next week!”
Donnie Hall, a longtime derby participant from San Jose, took second prize in the adult division, $1,000, for his 23.57-pound catch.
Unlike Cooker, Hall and his brother, Steve Johnson, are derby regulars. “We’ve been fishing in the Derby for 23 years and over time added others to our team, sparking a brotherhood we call the Katfish Posse,” Hall said. “Our numbers change from time to time but at present, there are 15 of us.”
In 2001, Hall’s brother broke the record derby catch with his 32.5-pound catfish, a record he still holds. That year, Johnson won a boat.
Hall and Johnson began fishing off the shore and soon learned boat fishing was a better way to go. “I helped my brother get his first boat and he always said if he ever won a boat, he’d give me his. He kept his word and the next year we had two boats and room for friends,” Hall said.
Of the decision to cancel the Derby in 2020 and the changes this year, Hall said the past year had been hard on everyone.
“I’m in the construction business and had to make big adjustments, so I understood why the 2020 derby was canceled,” he said. “Although I was not able to bring my wife, a disabled veteran, because of the weigh-in location, I’m so glad you brought back the Derby this year. Thank you all for what you do.”
On his way out, Hall thanked his old friend Locke, giving him a quick hug.
Locke, who led the Derby planning team through the ups and downs of a tough decision, said, “That’s what makes this all worthwhile. Guys like Donnie, who come back year after year, bringing their friends and families to Clear Lake.”
He added, “No awards ceremony, no music, no food and no raffles this year. Just fishing with family and friends and reconnecting after a long year of isolation, a build-it-and-they-will-come kind of moment.”
As in past years, Lower Lake High School student volunteers helped out the entire three days of fishing.
On the last day, Evelyn, a sophomore, was on hand early in the morning. Evelyn had already completed her community service hours but decided to volunteer anyway.
“Drama is my love and this is my first-time volunteering at the Derby,” she said. “I like the Derby and want to come back next year.”
This year, 66% of the Derby participants came from out of county and 34% from within Lake County.
For more information about the 37th Annual Catfish Derby and a complete listing of the winning entries, check the website, www.clearlakeoaks.org; the Facebook page, Catfish Derby At The Oaks; or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..