News: BPRYCS to Celebrate 75th Annual Perry J. Spinelli Fishing Derby on April 25th
| Date Published |
Author |
| 3/12/2026 12:00:00 AM |
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Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services to celebrate the 75th Annual Perry J. Spinelli Fishing Derby on April 25th
Bristol, CT – [March 12, 2026] For 75 years, Bristol families have gathered with fishing poles in hand to one of the city’s most cherished spring traditions. The City of Bristol Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) is proud to celebrate the 75th Annual Perry J. Spinelli Fishing Derby planned for Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
Children 13 years of age or younger, of all skill levels, are invited to bring their fishing poles to Rockwell Park Back Pond for a morning of great catches, fun prizes, and memories to last a lifetime.
The 2026 Derby will be back at Rockwell Park Back Pond due to the Page Park revitalization project and ongoing construction. There is no cost for registration or participation in the fishing derby. Registration is free and will take place between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM at the pond with the first cast starting right at 7:30 AM.
Participants in the Derby are asked to follow a few rules in order to secure their catch. Each participant may use one fishing pole, one hook, and one bobber to catch their fish. Participants may lure their catches in with any legal bait, but artificial lures and gang hooks are not allowed. While this event is a family event, we ask that parents or guardians may assist in casting, but ensure the children land their own fish. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of categories.
For more information regarding the 75th Annual Perry J. Spinelli Fishing Derby, and for a full set of rules, community members are encouraged to visit www.bristolrec.com. The fishing derby is held rain or shine, and participants are encouraged to arrive at the Rockwell Park Back Pond between 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM for registration.
For questions, please contact Madison Fostervold, Recreation Program Assistant, at madisonfostervold@bristolct.gov.