On July 8, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) hosted its annual Fishing Derby at the Conestogo Lake Conservation Area.
The derby was held from 8am to 3pm and included two divisions: adult and children. Derby entrants fished for bass, pike and catfish.
Catch and release was a mandated practice throughout the derby, aiding in the maintenance of the thriving fishery at the conservation area, which GRCA officials call the Grand River’s “best kept secret”.
Length decided the winning fish with John Sims, a seasonal camper at the Conestogo Lake, winning first place in the pike division. His pike measured 55cm.
In the bass division, area resident Bill Bray secured first place with his 46cm bass. Randy Rowntree, also a seasonal camper at Conestogo Lake, took home second place in both the pike and bass divisions with a 53.5cm pike and a 42cm bass.
Child entrants did exceptionally well, with Kalli Jessop, a local cottager, winning first place in the bass division with her 34cm bass. Unfortunately, no qualifications for pike were entered in the children’s division. Whether fishing off the shore or from a boat, Conestogo Lake Conservation Area offers equal fishing opportunities for young and old alike, as the derby entrants found.
All derby competitors were also eligible to win one of many draw prizes provided by generous local sponsors from the Listowel and Mapleton Township areas.
The Conestogo lake Conservation Area would like to thank them for their continuous support in the community.
The derby also marked the beginning of Family fishing Week, during which fishing licenses are not required. The license-free week ran until July 15, allowing unlicensed individuals to fish adhering to the regulations of a conservation license.
It is hoped that everyone can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity in the future by coming out to see for themselves the fishing Conestogo Lake Conservation Area has to offer.
Conestogo Lake would like to again recognize all the contributors and participants for their key roles in the success of this event and hope that they will participate again next year.
Submitted by Jan Laros, assistant superintendant, Conestogo Lake Conservation Area
