The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is moving the location of its annual Tom Banditelli Memorial Trout Fishing Derby to the Owl Creek Reservoir in Tamaqua.

It’ll be the first time at the popular recreational spot for the derby, which will kick off May 27 and run though Sept. 5.

“Having the derby at Owl Creek allows for us to extend it through September. We want to make this a great summerlong family event,” said Aimee Dodson, the Chamber’s outreach and office administrator.

While the location has changed, the caliber of prizes for registrants hasn’t; the grand catch is a fully-stocked fishing boat valued at more than $800.

Dotson said that the Schuylkill Headwaters will stock Owl Creek’s lower reservoir with 30 tagged rainbow trout. Each tag can be removed and redeemed for a prize.

Northeast PA Settlement Company and Schuylkill Headwaters have sponsored the fish, which must be released back into the reservoir as its water is catch-and-release only.

“Right now we have some other great prizes like gift certificates from the Tamaqua Station Restaurant, Hope and Coffee, Stoker’s Brewing Company, Heisler’s Dairy Bar, Revere Brewing, Hawk Mountain, Tap-S-Trees, as well as gift baskets and fishing gear from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Holman, EDM Electronics, Ann Marie Calabrese and more,” Dotson said.

The tags must be redeemed at Tom’s Auto and Marine, 250 S. Greenwood St., Tamaqua.

All are invited to the opening day festivities, which run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 27. There will be food and raffles, along with a 50/50.

“You can come register that day and the derby will officially start at noon,” Dotson said. “Bring the whole family and enjoy a great day of fishing.”

The contest is open to all ages, but anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp. Registration fees are $20 for those over the age of 16, and $10 for those 15 years and younger. You must register to be eligible for prizes.

Registration is being taken online at https://tamaqua.net/trout-derby-registration. Forms are also available from the Tamaqua Borough Building, Tom’s Auto and Marine and Barnisky’s Barber Shop.

In previous years, the derby was held along the Little Schuylkill River.

“We have been toying with the idea of having the derby at Owl Creek for a few years now,” Dotson said. “Owl Creek Reservoir is such a wonderful place and Tamaqua is lucky to have it so close to us.

“We want to get people from all over out there to enjoy all that it has to offer, from the two reservoirs, to hiking, walking, hiking, biking, fishing, boating (electric motors only, picnicking, Boy Scout events, Halloween hayrides, visits with Santa, and even 5K races and bike races.”

Dodson said the Chamber continues to look for prize and food donations. Anyone wishing to donate should contact her at chamber@tamaqua.net.

The derby is held in memory of Banditelli, a pillar of the community, avid fisherman, owner of Tom’s Auto & Marine, and former president of the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission. He passed away in 2021.