Young anglers in the Rimbey area can cast their lines this Saturday at the annual Youth Fishing Derby, hosted by the Rimbey Fish and Game Association. The free event runs June 27, 2026, at the South Day Use Area near the camp kitchen at the Open Creek Dam Campground, about 32 kilometres west of town on Highway 53.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 10 a.m., with fishing scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only kids and teens can fish during that window, but families are welcome to join the fun. “Prizes to be awarded shortly after for all participants,” the group says on its event page, and a hotdog lunch will be provided at no cost.
The Open Creek Dam lake is stocked with rainbow trout, including 6,000 fish added in May 2025, giving youth a solid chance at a catch. In Alberta, anyone under 16 doesn’t need a fishing licence, making the derby an easy entry point for beginners.
The Rimbey Fish and Game Association is a non-profit with about 100 members each year, affiliated with the Alberta Wildlife Federation. It leases the campground from Clearwater County and has been managing the site for decades. In 2020, the group also purchased part of the former Rimbey Golf Course and built a lodge there for meetings and rentals.
Saturday’s derby fits with broader efforts across the province to get young people outdoors. The Alberta Conservation Association runs a province-wide Kids Can Catch program that supports free family fishing events like this one, helping to introduce the next generation to the sport.
Families looking for a low-cost weekend activity can simply show up at the day-use area, no advance registration required. For more details, the event is listed on the association’s website.
