Fall Trout Derby Set for Saturday at Tuscora Park Pond
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Oct. 30, 2026) – Young anglers get their chance to reel in big catches Saturday during the second annual Fall Trout Derby at the Tuscora Park Pond in New Philadelphia. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to noon for kids 17 and under, with no registration required.
Co‑organizer Mitch Pace and Park Board member Jan McInturf say the derby is designed to get kids outdoors and excited about fishing. Organizers stocked the pond with 2,000 pounds of trout — including rainbow, brook, brown, golden rainbow and tiger trout, some topping 10 pounds.
They stocked the pond Thursday and closed it to fishing until derby time. Pace says giving the trout a couple of days to settle in worked well during the spring event.
Grand prizes go to the anglers who catch the four heaviest trout. A new tagged‑fish contest offers prizes including a Lake Erie walleye charter and rod‑and‑reel combos. About 12 to 15 trout have been tagged, and that contest continues after the kids’ derby, opening to the entire community at noon.
Rules and prize details are available on the New Philadelphia Trout Derby Facebook page.