SILVER CITY, NM; - The date is near and preparations are in place for a great day at the Aldo Leopold Kid's Fishing Derby, Saturday, June 4 at Lake Roberts, north of Silver City, New Mexico.

This may be the year for a World Record Gila trout on the end of your line! Mora National Fish hatchery will stock retired Gila trout broodstock for the event and a certified scale will be onsite in case a record fish is caught.

Besides a great day of fishing, kids can get in some practice at the casting station, explore the bug identification and collecting station, try some fly-tying and check out the archery range. They can also hear Smokey Bear's fire safety message and learn about wildlife, and living rivers at various display stations.

The derby will coincide with New Mexico Free Fishing day and National Fishing and Boating week. The event would not be possible without the support and cooperation of many agencies, organizations and businesses. Sponsors of the event include: Copper Country Shooting Sports, First National Bank, Gila National Forest, Mesilla Valley Flyfishers, Mora National Fish Hatchery, Morningstar Outdoors, National Wildlife Turkey Federation, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Registration for the event is at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and awards are at 1:30 p.m. Check out the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1728977667391533/ See you at the Derby!