Junior anglers reel in fish and fun at Derby

BY

The annual Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby for ages 5 to 15 is a popular event among the community’s youngest anglers. The Canyon Lake Bassmasters has put on the derby each year since 1986 to give kids an opportunity to showcase their fishing skills and have a fun day by the lake.

Kids could begin fishing at 6 a.m. and had until 11 a.m. to get their catch to Holiday Harbor to be weighed and recorded. They fished for the largest catfish, bluegill and crappie they could catch. No bass were allowed. Kids could be seen fishing from locations all around the community, from parks, beaches, boats, docks and even at Happy Camp. All fish were then returned to their lake home.

A lunch of hot dogs, chips and drinks, provided by the Bassmasters, was served after the final weigh-in.

Kids Fishing Derby Trophy Winners

Overall Biggest Fish went to McKenzie Jensen with her 16.92 pound Carp

Ages 5 to 7

1st Place: McKenzie Jensen with 23.52 lbs..

2nd Place tie: Aiden Moreno with 23.06 lbs..

2nd Place tie: Charlotte Marquart with 23.06 lbs.

3rd Place: Michael Ray with 19.88 lbs..

Ages 8 to 11

1st Place: River Halley with 9.14 lbs..

2nd Place: Ella Taylor with 7.00 lbs..

3rd Place: Eric Wayne with 6.78 lbs..

Ages 12 to 15

1st Place: Austin Moreno with 11.96 lbs..

2nd Place: Micah Sanchez with 7.18 lbs..

3rd Place: Jorden Boyd with 6.92 lbs..

Biggest Fish by Type

Biggest Bluegill tie:  Heath Lewis and Mckenzie Jensen

Biggest Catfish: Calvin Todd

Biggest Carp: McKenzie Jensen

Biggest Fish by a Girl: McKenzie Jensen

Biggest Fish by a Boy: Jagger Hillenbrand

Overall Winners

Overall Winner Girl: McKenzie Jensen

Overall Winner Boy: Aiden Moreno

This year’s sponsors again donated hundreds of prizes (or money to purchase prizes) for the kids’ drawing. There was a separate drawing, with every ticket holder eligible to take home one of two Aqua Lily Pads, a GoPro or a golf cart utility light from UTV Junkies. Every participant received a ticket for the prize drawing whether they weighed in a fish or not, and additional tickets could be purchased.

Sponsors included Aaims USA, ABC Bounce Co., All Signs, Aqua Lily Pad, Accurate Reels, Canyon Lake Market, Canyon Lake Lions Club, Coldwell Bank Realty, DSP Electric Contractors, Danny and Jill Batinich, David and Sharon Eilers, Doug and Michele Gordon, Garrison and Sandra Jones, Hoffman’s Painting, Jim Wright Flooring, Jon Evans, Jude Donahue, Kerry Keith Remax Now, Last Chance Performance, Last Chance Bait & Tackle, Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, Pitstop Pub & Sports Bar, Pack Wrap & Post, RJ Skolburge Supple, Siepker Electric, Ted and nancy Horton, TST Water, UTV Junkies.com and Walmart.