$450 in prizes up for grabs at catfish derby

OASIS STATE PARK — It’s time to load up your tackle box, buy some bait and dust off your fishing license. Anglers of eastern New Mexico will once again head to Oasis State Park for tonight’s 10th annual Biggest Catfish Challenge Derby.

Oasis State Park Technician Valerie Russ said $450 in prizes will be up for grabs at the competition with payouts of $100, $75 and $50 for the top three finishers in both the adult (16 and older) and junior (15 and younger) categories.

Prizes will be awarded tonight following the derby based on the weight of the catfish, with two fish per competitor, Russ said.

Russ said door prizes including fishing poles, coolers, tackle boxes and chairs will also be distributed during the event.

Registration is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the competition running from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Russ said the derby costs $5 to enter and the park charges a $5 per vehicle entrance fee. Competitors 12 or older must have a valid New Mexico fishing license.

She said entry fees go to the Friends of Oasis group, which helps put on events like the Biggest Catfish Challenge Derby and purchase equipment for the park.

Russ said her hope is that those who come out to the derby simply “have a good time and spend it with friends and family.”