Riverside Events

Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park

Postponed

The Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park scheduled for May 19th & 20^thhas been postponed to Friday and Saturday, June 2^nd and 3^rd.

The Parks and Recreation staff has reviewed the river levels for the upcoming weekend’s tournament and determined to postpone the event for the safety of the participants. The Colorado River normally flows around 300 cfs (cubic feet per second), but due to the heavy rains in central Texas the river is currently flowing at 22,270 cfs. It is expected to crest on Wednesday, May 18^th at 28.5 feet and 28,000 cfs.

“When the river is high, most of our beach goes underwater” said Robert Carlisle, Park Ranger at Riverside. “It’s also a lot harder to launch a boat and the chances of catching fish in the murky swift water is greatly reduced”. Putting the event off for a couple of weeks should allow the park to return to normal and make the event more enjoyable for all, weather permitting.

On a positive note, the new date falls on free fishing day, which is on June 3, 2023 when the first Saturday in June of each year, everyone can fish recreationally without licenses or endorsements. However, you will need a license if you plan to fish on Friday.

Whatever it is that you want to do – Go Wild @ Riverside Park!

Fishing Tournament @ Riverside Park

It’s a sport, a hobby, a profession, a skill! Fishing crosses all gender, cultural, and economic lines. For some, it’s about catching the biggest fish, for others it’s the quantity. The adrenaline rush and pride when a line is pulled in is the same either way.

Bay City Parks and Recreation is bringing back the annual Fishing Tournament at Riverside Park on May 19th & 20^th. The tournament is open to all ages. Competitors are divided into three age categories: Kid Fish (10 & under); Youth Fish (11 – 17); Adults (18 & older) with prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in each age group.

“Fishing builds confidence, improves coordination, teaches patience, and encourages an appreciation of nature,” said Kelly Penewitt, Parks and Recreation Manager. “This tournament is a great way to introduce or re-introduce our residents to healthier lifestyles and decrease screen time – at least for a little while.”

Check-in is from 12 noon – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19^th and 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20^th at Riverside Park’s Ranger Station. The fishing boundaries are the Colorado River from the Bay City Dam to the Intercoastal Waterway with the put in at Riverside Park.

Weigh-Station will be from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday night and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday at Riverside’s Tejas Pavilion. Final Weigh in is at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Awards Ceremony is at 5 p.m.

Game Fish: Kid Fish – Alligator Gar, Catfish, Red Fish, Perch, Fresh Water Drum and Crappie; Youth Fish and Adult - Alligator Gar, Catfish and Red Fish.

Entry Fees:

Kid Fish: $15/person

Youth Fish: $25/person

Adults: $45/person; Seniors (65 & older) Active Military/Veteran (must show ID) $5 discount

Overnight campsites can be reserved for $40 in Colorado Cove (water, sewer and electric) or $35 in Wilderness Area (water and electric)

4^th Annual Riverside Smoke Off

And the Winners Are:

With 19 teams and 88 entries competing in 8 categories and 17 youth participating in the Kid’s Cook categories it was an EXTREMELY tough decision by the judges to decide the best BBQ in the 4^th annual Riverside Smoke Off.

The winners are (drum roll…)

Best Decorated Site Let It Burn

Crawfish – Boiled (new 2023 category)

1^st Place VVleck Smokers

2^nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’

Crawfish – Other (new 2023 category)

1^st Place VVleck Smokers - Crawfish Mac-n-Cheese

2^nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’- Crawfish Cornbread

Beans

1^st Place Smoked Out Cookers

2^nd Place Echale Cookers

3^rd Place It’s A Family Thing

Dutch Oven Sweet

1^st Place Backyard Cookers - Pecan Cheesecake

2^nd Place Chillin’ & Grillin’ - Carmel Apple Cheesecake

3^rd Place Echale Cookers - Banana Cake

Chef’s Choice

1^st Place Come & Taste It - Wagyu Brisket Egg Rolls

2^nd Place Hot Sauce - Pork Loin with Apples

3^rd Place 3 Little Pigs - Jalapeno Poppers

Chicken

1^stPlace Come & Taste It

2^nd Place Gittin’ Saucy

3^rd Place Smokem 1

Ribs

1st Place Gettin’ Saucy

2^nd Place Smokem 1

3^rd Place Hot Sauce

Brisket

1^stPlace Smokem 1

2^nd Place Smoked Out

3^rd Place Let It Burn

Kid’s Cook – Ribeye Steak Category

Ages 5 – 8 years

1^st Place Credence Robles

2^nd Place Ezra Ryman

3^rd Place Colin Page

Ages 9 – 12 years

1st Place Joel Escamilla

2^nd Place Credan Robles

3^rd Place Liam Faulkner

Kid’s Cook – Ribs Category

Ages 13 – 17 years

1st Place Kaden Gray

2^nd Place Abby Escamilla

3^rd Place Christian Cruz

Thank you to our judges who had an EXTREMELY difficult time deciding on the winners in each category – Shawna Burkhart, David Burkhart, Blayne Finlay, Bobby Seiferman, Jason Sanders, Shawn Blackburn, Louanna Blackburn, Patti McKelvy, Dan Shook, Karen Penewitt, Daren Penewitt, Terry Smith, Chris Hadash, Haylee Crowley, Ricky Bort, Chanelle Bort, Alyssa Sanders, Matt Martinez, Brittany Cartwright, Richard Cartwright and Kristopher Carter.

Mark your calendars for the 5^th annual Riverside Smoke Off – March 22^nd and 23^rd, 2024. Registration begins October 1^st, 2023.

Whatever it is that you want to do – Go Wild @ Riverside Park!

How to Register

There are 3 ways to register:

On-line at https://www.cityofbaycity.org/190/Parks-Recreation. Click on the Events and Programs button
The Riverside Park Office, Sunday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Parks and Recreation Office (1209 10^th Street), Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Want More Information

Contact Riverside Park at 979-245-0340 or via e-mail at riversidepark@cityofbaycity.org, or the Parks and Recreation Office at 979-323-1660 or via e-mail at parksrec@cityofbaycity.org

Riverside Events

Fishing Tournament Rules

Contact Us

Quick Links

Helpful Links