LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. -- With the 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby less than five months away, the first load of trout have been delivered by the Department of Fish & Game.

Prior to the delivery of approximately 5,000 trout, 5 tons of trout food was delivered and loaded into the storage containers. Between now and 5 days prior to the derby, 125 plus volunteers will feed the trout twice daily, rain or shine. Within the next week, another delivery of approximately 10,000 trout will be delivered by Mt Lassen Trout Farm.

The total prize money as been set for the 2010 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby sponsored by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. The number of “major sponsors” this year was finalized at 10, with each committing to sponsor a $10,000 tagged trout. Major sponsors are the valley’s independent market co-sponsors Charlie’s Market, Lake Isabella Market and Mt. Mesa Market; Kern River Corporation; Alta One Federal Credit Union; Subway, Little Caesars, and Taco Del Mar; Budweiser; General Plumbing; California Land Management, Sierra Gateway Markets; French Gulch & North Fork Marina’s; and YUM / Troutkrilla.

In addition, the Kern River Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a trout worth $21,000 to honor our 21st Annual Derby!

There will be a $1000 reward for the longest trout; the second longest trout will be worth $500 sponsored by Atchison Propane, and Shady Lane Bar & Grill is sponsoring the $250 prize for the third longest trout. The trout does not have to be tagged, however the winner must be registered for the Derby.

There will also be an additional 989 tagged trout with a value of $20 to $1,000 available for the Derby.

In the past 20 years, lucky anglers (men, women and children) have caught more than $240,000 worth of trout at the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Two of the prized $10,000 fish were caught last year. So mark your calendars, one of those $10,000 fish could be yours!

The 2010 Derby will be held on March 27, 28, and 29, which is perfectly scheduled for the weekend before Easter.