Spring is here which means it’s time for the annual “Hooked on Fishing” opening day trout derby on Lake Wilderness scheduled for April 25.

The Greater Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city of Maple Valley and Maple Valley Rotary sponsors the event.

“Hooked on Fishing” is the name given to the community event, which is open to anglers of all ages on the opening day. The derby features two opportunities to compete for prizes – the regular trout derby and the tagged fish competition.

Anglers must purchase a $2 trout ticket to enter the regular trout derby. This ticket is purchased at derby headquarters on April 24 or 25. Prizes are in three categories:

* Get It Now,

* The Top 100 and

* It’s Not Over Yet.

The Tagged Fish derby event is for a $300 cash prize. This $5 derby ticket must be purchased prior to midnight April 24. Tickets went on sale April 1 at Maple Valley Vision Clinic in Wilderness Village, John L. Scott at Four Corners, Mt. Rainier Bank (Maple Valley), Wilderness Auto Service and Chevron, Johnson’s Home and Garden, Junior Junction Day School and the chamber office.

After 5 p.m. April 24 tagged fish tickets will be available at derby headquarters in Lake Wilderness Park until midnight.

This year’s tagged fish, Sir Lucas, is sponsored by Automated Networking. Sir Lucas must be presented to and verified by derby officials prior to 12 p.m. April 25 for the $300 cash prize. However, there is an additional “catch” to this year’s tagged fish. If Sir Lucas is caught and presented to derby officials after 12:01 p.m. April 25th and prior to midnight on Oct. 31st, Automated Networking will award a finders fee of $100. An official tagged fish derby ticket must be presented with Sir Lucas for official verification.

For more information go to www.maplevalley.com and click on the link, “Hooked On Fishing” or call the chamber office at 425.432.0222.