Walker Lake in Hawthorne, Nevada is hosting it's annual President's Day Derby on February 17-19, 2001 at Sportsman Beach. The derby will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Monday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Entry fees for adults are $35, and for children $15. The winners of the heaviest fish of the derby will receive $1,300 for the women and men categories, and $150 for the children's category. The winners for heaviest fish daily will receive $200 for both men and women categories, and $75 for the children's category. The second heaviest fish will receive $100 for both men and women, and $50 for children. And the third heaviest fish will receive $50 for men and women, and $25 for children. The prizes depend on the number of entrants of the derby.
According to guide Bob Tompkins of Gun and Tackle Shop, the cutthroat bite in Walker Lake is constantly varying. Within the last week Tompkins reported that the bite has been strongest near Barlow's Beach at 60 to 85 feet. Anglers are averaging 3 to 4 fish a day, averaging 3 to 4 pounds, on Torpedo Spoons and Apex.