FARMINGTON – Farmington Recreation Department’s July 4th fishing derbies for children 12 years of age and younger will be held at 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 4, at Rollo Pond on Prescott Street. A child may participate in only one derby, for a fee of $3 per child. Each derby is one hour long.

More than 265 rainbow trout ranging from 8 inches to 16 inches in length have been stocked in Rollo Pond. The pond is measured into 47 equal spaces and contestants must remain within their selected 4-foot space when casting during the derby. Trophies will be awarded in four categories during each derby: first trout, first limit, trophy fish and biggest meal.

Children are asked to arrive for space selection and registration well before either derby on Monday.

There is a three-trout bag limit for the day, so once a contestant lands three stocked fish, the child is through for the derby and the rest of the day.

Rollo Pond will be opened to the rest of the public for fishing no later than 1 p.m. Monday, and the public is asked to abide by the posted daily bag limit of three trout so that the temporary recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by children as long as possible.

Parents may help cast lines for children, bait hooks and untangle lines, but the department hopes that the child will be an equal partner in this fishing experience.