'Most participants in four years': 430 anglers take part in 33rd Mineral Lake Fishing Derby

With their fishing lines cast into the water from the shoreline, the docks or their personal boats and kayaks, a record number of anglers - 430 in total - bought official tickets to participate in the 33rd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby this past weekend in East Lewis County.

"This is the most participants we've had in four years, so I thank you all for your contributions to make this stuff possible," Mineral Lake Lions Club Fishing Derby Committed Chair Steve Mayer said before announcing the top five derby winners on Sunday, April 26.

Although no angler managed to hook Mineral Lake's famed "10-pound trout," Buckley resident Bo Vandersnick took first place in the derby, landing a 6.9-pound trout measuring 25.5 inches in length and taking home a new Blackstone griddle as his prize.

Puyallup resident Dave Richardson took second place with a 6.74-pound trout at 25.5 inches long, winning a new electric bicycle.

Third place was won by Vancouver resident Rylee Wymer, who despite only being four years old, hooked a 6.56-pound trout at 25.5 inches long and took home a certificate good for a free Columbia River guided fishing trip courtesy of Browning's Sport Fishing.

In fourth place was Puyallup resident Brian Troxell, who got a new Lifetime kayak after landing a 6.43-pound trout measuring 26 inches.

And, finally, Auburn resident Nancy Ekberg placed fifth as her trout weighed the same as Troxell's.

"The only difference between her's and Brian's (fishes) was about three-quarters of an inch," Mayer added.

Ekberg took home a new Traeger wood-pellet-burning grill as her prize.

Along with handing out prizes for derby-winning fish, dozens of other prizes were raffled off during the derby on Saturday, ranging from other guided trips, camping and fishing gear and even an electric go-kart.

A total of 135 camping packages including a personal tent, sleeping bag and various outdoor gear, were also given out to all youth derby participants.

Funding for the youth camping packages came from Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe grants, along with Stansport and Bob's Sporting Goods located in Longview.

Proceeds from the 33rd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby go towards various Lions Club programs supporting the local senior center and Morton School District with both food and scholarship assistance - along with maintaining the Mineral Lake Lions Den campground.

The Mineral Lake Lions Club is also planning an upcoming Independence Day fireworks show along with their annual lakeside concert series.

For more information about the Mineral Lake Lions Club and the events they organize including the fishing derby, visit the Lions Club's website at https://minerallakelions.com/.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.