DA Hoovler Launches Sixth Annual Youth Fishing Derby for Orange County Kids

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler has launched the sixth annual Orange County District Attorney's Office Youth Fishing Derby, billing the free competition under its now-familiar tagline: "Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs." The Derby opens April 1, 2026, and runs through September 14, 2026.

Any child between the ages of four and eighteen who is a child or grandchild of an Orange County resident is eligible to enter at no cost. The window of nearly five and a half months gives young anglers time across the full spring and summer season to compete.

Hoovler used the announcement to deliver detailed safety and conservation guidance directly to participants. "Good luck to all our young anglers this year," he said, "and I hope that you enjoy your time in our great outdoors. Please always remember to be safe! Wear a life vest when in a boat or near deep water. Be careful with hooks and other sharp items. Look where you cast and behind you, to avoid hooking someone by mistake. Remember sunglasses protect your eyes from both the sun and from hooks that might pop loose from a hooked fish. Remember good anglers don't litter, because it hurts our wildlife habitat and can lead to the loss of public access to fishing. Have fun and stay safe, and maybe I'll see you on the water this year!"

The Derby is now in its sixth year, making it one of the longer-running youth outreach programs out of the DA's office. Hoovler's office has paired the fishing program with broader public health and safety messaging over the years, alongside initiatives including an opioid and heroin awareness public service announcement and a gun violence prevention initiative launched in November 2023.

The announcement did not include registration instructions, designated fishing locations, prize details, or judging criteria. Families interested in entering should contact the Orange County District Attorney's Office directly for those specifics before the April 1 start date.