Fishing Campout

Join us at Lion’s Den Campground for the annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby. This event celebrates the beginning of fishing season and the history of fishing and camping at Mineral Lake. The fishing derby celebration includes a fishing competition, raffle events, and various booths, as well as a fishing pond for kids to be able to practice catching fish. Each child receives their own fishing rod, and volunteers at the event will help process and cook the fish if the child chooses.

For the 2026 event, we will be attending for the day instead of camping. Join us for transportation, community, and a great introduction to freshwater fishing!

Price: This event is free! If you plan to ride with us, please consider donating towards the cost of fuel.

Itinerary:

• Meet at 7 AM
• Drive to Mineral Lake, arrive by 9 AM
• If you are transporting yourself, we will meet you at Mineral Lake Lion’s Den Campground by 9. Parking is limited, so the earlier the better!
• Pack a lunch, or plan to get food at one of the food trucks
• We estimate the event ending around 4-5 in the afternoon

Meet Location: Tacoma Dome Station – West Parking Garage, 510 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma, WA 98421

Event Location: Mineral Lake Lion’s Den Campground, 113 W Front St, Mineral, WA 98355

Packing List: Day hike

Highlights

Exploration – Growing and learning in the outdoors – Building friendships

Difficulty Level

Easy: Walking, fishing, optional easy, flat hikes, lakeside activities

2026 Schedule:

Saturday, April 25

Sign up

“It [Lushootseed] is from the beginning strength of the people, and it is from what the Creator put down upon this land for people…. The earth speaks. The animals speak. Everything has a voice.”

Vi Hilbert, Grandmother Video Project

The traditional homeland of the Nisqually people includes about two million acres of the Nisqually River drainage from Mt. Rainier to Olympia. They have inhabited this land for thousands of years, since, according to their history, their ancestors, the Squalli-absch, came north across the Cascades from the Great Basin. Nisqually life, territory, and culture have been heavily impacted by the European invasion of the Puget Sound area, and they have fought hard to maintain their identity and dignity in the face of displacement, violence, and suppression. Multiple names around the Puget Sound area honor Leschi, a war chief of the Nisqually Tribe during the mid 19th century, who, along with his brother Quiemuth, led the fight for his people’s right to remain on their ancestral homeland. 

The Nisqually way of life revolves around salmon, and today, they lead the stewardship of fisheries resources in the Nisqually River area. The tribe operates two fish hatcheries on Clear Creek and Kalama Creek. The tribe’s resilience, dedication, and commitment can be seen in their continued efforts to come alongside, guide, and lead these efforts to care for the land.
Nisqually is a Southern Coast Salish language, and is a dialect of Lushootseed. Stories, songs, and other Nisqually language resources can be found on the tribe’s website, www.nisqually-nsn.gov.