Salmon Derby starts April 14
Last year’s Spring Salmon Derby winner, Darryl Day (left ), caught his winning 27-pound, seven-ounce salmon while fishing with friends Steve Jablonski and Lucas Dracz.
One of Niagara’s oldest sporting traditions, the St Catharines Game and Fish Association’s Spring Salmon Derby, is being run April 14 to June 8 for the 44th year.
While over the years, the dates, formats and prize structures have varied, the same common core rules and objectives remain.
“This year, there is 67 different prize placings in various categories to be contested for with a guaranteed grand prize of a $5,000 cheque going to the heaviest salmon,” derby chairman Mark Penner said. “Other various cash and prize packages are available for salmon, rainbow, trout, brown trout and lake trout.”
Sponsor support from various companies, both fishing and non-fishing related locally and internationally, is strong and allows the association to keep the event going and offer the prizes it does.
“I fished in the derby as a youngster with my dad and now my son joins me often out on the water now some 25 years later,” Penner said.
Various prizes are also up for grabs in the junior division for those 16 and under and Penner encourages fellow anglers to take kids out.
“Kids need more time with tackle boxes and less time with X boxes,” he said.
It’s often a common sight when driving along Lake Ontario’s shoreline in the early spring to see many boats out fishing rather close to shore.
“The water temperature on this side of the lake typically warms up the fastest and it often where a big migration of salmon and trout come to feed in the spring as the rest of the lake begins to warm and then the fish move deeper through to the summer,” Penner said. “It’s the reason why the derby was first conceived, to celebrate the great fishing and attract those from all over Canada and the USA to experience the world-class sport fishing.”
Sport fishing is a boost to the local economy.
“Many don’t realize the local economic impact it provides, with many local and visiting anglers spending on fuel, lodging, food, gear, and other expenses,” Penner said.
When the fishing peaks in May, the SCGFA also runs another event called The Port Dalhousie 3×3 Salmon Classic, which runs during the Victoria Day long weekend.
The best part is anglers don’t even need a boat or any gear to participate. There are many various fishing guides and charter boats who are registered in the in the derby, who provide everything necessary. All you need is a fishing license (if applicable).
A listing of participating guides and charter boats as well as all the information for the Salmon Derby and the SCGFA’s other events and projects can be found at www.scgfa.ca.
