With the appeal of over $250,000 in prizes, the 23rd Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby sponsored by Berkley & Shakespeare, is on track to be one of the best ever!

Berkley & Shakespeare will sponsor two of the ten $10,000 tagged trout for this event not only appears to be where we left off, but some fun additions to this year will make this year's event fun for all involved. In addition, the Kern River Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a trout worth $20,000. Adding even more to the prize payout, if the $20,000 Chamber of Commerce fish is caught while the lucky angler is wearing an "official" 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby T-shirt or Hoodie, the prize will be doubled to $40,000.

Last week, the California Department of Fish & Game came out to check the derby trout, part of the process is to weigh the fish, provide fish rearing expertise and pathology services in case of disease outbreaks or other problems associated with the trout in the derby net pens. The fish were given a clean bill of health, and the weight of the trout was surprising. The fish at time of the weigh-in came in at an average of 1  ? lbs, with a good number tipping the scale at over 2  ? lbs.

This also marks the second year Berkley will be involved with the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby as a major sponsor. Bob Hoose, Field Marketing Manager for Berkley stated, "Members of the Berkley pro staff will be on site to help anglers and provide helpful tips. They will also have Berkley products for display, giving anglers a unique chance to see the newest products available."

Anglers are also invited to stop by the Berkley booth and put their angling skill on the Berkley Knot Tying machine. Berkley pros will be on hand to field questions and lend some helpful fishing tips, and the Berkley team will be walking the shoreline and out on the water with Berkley prizes for anglers.

Countless participants look forward to this annual event. One dedicated derby goer, Anita Bartlett, of Quartz Hill, CA, has some fond memories of the derby, "My husband and I have been going to the derby every year since 2007, he actually proposed at the derby in 2009. It's something special that we do together, or with friends, every year." She also shared, "This year, the derby actually takes place on my birthday, so I am super excited to go. The fact that I usually catch more fish than all the guys combined, and that my husband proposed there makes it a very special time for all of us."

With the 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby quickly approaching, according to Forest Service officials, there will be plenty of room for campers and anglers looking for overnight accommodations.

Pioneer Point, Paradise Cove, Hungry Gulch and Boulder Gulch campgrounds are on first-come, first-served basis at $20 per night. Camp 9 also has plenty of sites available at $17 per night. In addition, overnight camping is allowed at Auxiliary Dam, Old Isabella Road and the South Fork Recreation Area, with a daily fee of $10 (or $50 for an annual pass). Passes can be purchased at Golden State Surplus in Lake Isabella, Sierra Gateway Market and Sporting Goods in South Lake, Riverside One Stop Shell, Sierra Gateway Market in Kernville, Red's Kern Valley Marina, and at the Lake Isabella and Kernville Forest Service offices. Stine Cove and Hanning Flat are also available for camping and are free of charge.

FOR THE FISHING DERBY WEEKEND ONLY, the Forest Service has agreed to open up additional areas for overnight camping. These areas include Engineer Point; along the beach area west of Paradise Cove campground, Kissack Cove; the north and south shoreline of Boulder Gulch and the shoreline between French Gulch Group Area and Boulder Gulch. For these areas, visitors can begin to set up campsites on Thursday, March 29 at 6:00 A.M. If visitors set up their campsites earlier they may be cited. The special camping areas will remain open until Monday, April 2 at 6:00 P.M. Tillie Creek, Tillie Creek Group, Live Oak North, and Live Oak South will remain closed during the derby due to water system repairs in progress.