Kids ages 2 to 12 will have several chances to fish for free this June as the 2026 Youth Fishing Derbies return to the Kisatchie National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled derby events for June 6 at Stuart Lake in Grant Parish, Anderson Pond in Natchitoches Parish, Government Pond in Vernon Parish, and Bombing Range Pond in Winn Parish. A fifth derby is set for June 13 at Valentine Lake in Rapides Parish.

According to the Forest Service events page, each location will have its own start time. Anderson Pond begins at 6:30 a.m., Government Pond and Valentine Lake begin at 7 a.m., and Stuart Lake and Bombing Range Pond start at 8 a.m. Most events wrap up by late morning.

The annual derbies are designed as family-friendly outdoor events that give children a chance to enjoy fishing in a fun setting on national forest lands. The Forest Service lists the Winn Parish event at Bombing Range Pond as the 22nd Annual Frank Clark Youth Fishing Derby, while the other derbies are also part of the forest’s regular slate of youth fishing events.

Families who plan to attend are encouraged to check the official Kisatchie National Forest events page for registration details, exact locations, and contact information for each site. The Forest Service has posted district contacts for every derby in case families need additional information before heading out.

For North Louisiana families looking for a simple summer outing, the derbies offer a chance for children to get outside, cast a line, and enjoy a morning at the water.