Essex County will be hosting six free fishing derbies for children and their families this year through September. 

Sponsored by the county's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, each derby is open to children 15 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing pole, bait, bucket and chair. Prizes in various age categories for catching the first and most fish will be awarded at the conclusion of each derby.

The fishing derbies will be held as follows:

• Sat., May 2: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Pond, Brookside Ave. and Runnymede Road, Essex Fells. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11 a.m.
• Sat., May 9: Essex County Branch Brook Park Lake, Park Ave. and Lake St., Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 10 a.m. and awards will be presented at noon.
• Thurs., May 14: Essex County Verona Park Boathouse, Bloomfield Ave. and Lakeside Ave, Verona. On-site registration begins at 5 p.m., the derby begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 8 p.m.
• Sat., May 16: Essex County Weequahic Park Lake, Elizabeth Ave. and Meeker Ave., Newark. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11 a.m.
• Sat., June 13: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Pond, Center St. and Harrison St., Orange. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11 a.m.
• Sat., Sept. 12: Essex County Irvington Park Pond, Grove St. and Lyons Ave., Irvington. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m., the derby begins at 9 a.m. and awards will be presented at 11 a.m.

For more information, call 973-268-3500, ext. 234 or 254. The derbies will be held rain or shine.