Trout Fest at Hot Creek Hatchery

This was my first time going to Trout Fest and I’m sure my kids won’t let it be the last time. Trout Fest is held just south of Mammoth Lakes, CA off Highway 395. Turn at the Mammoth Lakes Yosemite Airport and Hot Creek Hatchery is located just beyond.

The event is sponsored by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and they hold similar events around the state. Entry is free to adults and children. The event aims to introduce kids and adults to all things fishing — and educate them in the process. Kids were able to paint a trout and got to practice casting a fishing pole. They run thousands of fish from the hatchery, so it was a guarantee that kids would catch fish.

My favorite part was the cleaning station. Once kids catch a fish, they’ll clean the fish for you and place it on a bag of ice — all for free. For more information about Trout Fest, email the organizers.