And the fish were biting Saturday at the annual Kids Fishing Derby.

There were 80 children, plus accompanying adults, along the shores of the pond in front of the Kiwanis building. This year’s “big fish” award went to Alan Cooley and Jonathan Cooley. Alan hooked the winning 4.4-pound catfish and passed it to his brother, Jonathan, who hauled it in. The “most fish” award went to Kentrell Ball and family. The group caught a whopping 39 catfish.

The derby is designed to provide a positive experience for kids 3 to 16 years old to encourage them to pursue a lifetime of outdoor activities such as fishing.

Partners in coordinating the event were the Andalusia Kiwanis Club, the Covington County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and USDA Forest Service.

Door prizes and prizes for casting accuracy, big fish, and most fish were awarded, and a free lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs was provided by the Kiwanis Club.