Bring out the family from 7:00 a.m. to noon for fishing and fun!

Kick off your summer at the 10th Annual Aldo Leopold Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 1 at Lake Roberts, north of Silver City, New Mexico. The Mora National Fish Hatchery will stock Lake Roberts with retired Gila trout breeder stock for this event, so kids have a shot at catching a record-sized trout! Smokey Bear will make an appearance to greet all his fans.

"Lake Roberts is a beautiful place to spend a Saturday morning reeling in fish," said Gila National Forest Fisheries Biologist Eileen Henry. "We have fishing gear for anyone who doesn't have their own, so come out and enjoy the first Saturday of June with us!"

The event is sponsored by Gila National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Trout Unlimited, Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Native Plant Society.

The derby coincides with New Mexico's Free Fishing Day, so licenses are not required (bag limits still apply). Registration for the fishing derby is free and will begin at 7:00 a.m. and run through noon. Prizes will be presented at the end of the event. Let's go fishing! For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .