Bowden Fishing Derby

Old Route 33, Elkins, WV 26241

For almost 30 years, the Bowden Fishing Derby- Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs have given children under the age of 14, a free opportunity to catch two trout per individual. More than 500 participants from across Randolph County come out and catch big trout early on a Saturday morning in June (typically held the first weekend in June). This annual event is geared to teach children the basics of fishing.

Two ponds are full stocked for the Bowden Fishing Derby so every individual has a chance to catch a big fish! The third pond is a catch and release pond.

Bowden National Fish Hatchery is situated about 10 miles east of Elkins. The facility itself is an attraction because it shows the process of the stocked fish process. The facility places more than 200,000 trout into waterways during the stocking season.