By Ryan Thompson, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (May 27, 2026) – Fort Leonard Wood’s Kid’s Catfish Derby is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to noon June 6, 2026, at the pond at Training Area 228, off FLW 38.
According to John Brant, fisheries biologist with the Directorate of Public Works’ Natural Resources Branch, the free event is open to anglers, ages 15 and younger – all participants need to be accompanied by an adult – and registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Brant said there will be plenty of opportunities for participants to land a fish and no fishing license will be needed from 9 a.m. to noon.
“We stock about 400 catfish in a one-acre pond,” Brant said. “The limit is four catfish per participant.”
Brant pointed out there will be about 20 tagged fish in the pond and anyone catching a tagged fish will be able to present that fish to win outdoor related prizes.
“There will be loaner polls and bait is available on a first-come, first-served basis, but anglers are advised to bring their own gear as much as possible,” he said.
Additionally, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Adventure Center will be on hand with an informational booth and will also assist youth with baiting hooks.
Aaron O’Donoghue, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation combined activities manager, said one option for potential anglers is to rent a rod and equipment from the OAC.
“If you’re a first-time angler and you don’t have the equipment and aren’t sure if they are going to enjoy it or want to invest in the equipment, swing by the Outdoor Adventure Center where we can rent you some gear,” O’Donoghue said. “If you like the experience, when you come back with your rental equipment, we can help you get set up with a good starter kit or give you recommendations on how to start what could become a new hobby.”
Refreshments and food for purchase will be provided by the Better Opportunity for Single Service Members program.
“There will be a low cost for the food that is there,” O’Donoghue said. “100% of those proceeds will go back into the BOSS program so they can execute their programs for life skills events.”
O’Donoghue said the goal of the event is to get young people outdoors where they can learn about nature and all the exciting activities the outdoors has to offer.
“It’s incredibly important to make sure future outdoorsmen are good stewards of the environment,” he said. “If we can make an impression on one youth and get them hooked into fishing and further their interest in outdoor recreation, we held a successful event.”
Call 573.596.4223 for more information.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission