By Mary Owen
May 14-16, 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
Awards Ceremony Sunday, May 16 at 3 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults, $8 children 13 and under
Sponsored by Detroit Lake Recreation
and Business Association
For more information, phone 503-854-3696 or
e-mail: mthigh97342@gmail.com
The fish are biting at Detroit Lake, and everyone is invited to cast their lines at the 28th annual Detroit Lake Fishing Derby.
Organizers expect more than 1,000 adults and children to participate in the event, May 14-16, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
“This year, the first 750 entrants will receive a 2010 Detroit Lake Fishing Derby hat,” said Dean O’Donnell, spokesman for the Detroit Lake Recreation and Business Association, official sponsor of the fishing derby.
Grand prize is a 14-foot Smoker Craft fishing boat with EZ Loader boat trailer for the adults and bicycles for the children.
“We give one to the girls and one to the boys,” O’Donnell said. “This year we are also giving a jar of Pautzke bait and other miscellaneous items when they enter. Most entrants will receive more in free goods than it costs them to enter.”
DLRABA charges adults $15 and children 13 and under $8 to participate in the derby. Cash prizes are given for caught tagged fish. An awards ceremony will take place at Sunday, May 16, 3 p.m. at Detroit city center.
“Each entrant can bring five fish per day back to the fish clipping station,” O’Donnell said. “They’ll get drawing tickets for each fish caught, which gives them chances to win prizes on Sunday.”
O’Donnell and his fellow DLRABA members expect entrants have “a great time all three days of camping, fishing and visiting friends.” But the highlight of the event is always the prize drawing, he said.
“The only people who have any chance of losing are those who don’t come and enjoy the weekend,” O’Donnell added.
The fishing derby, which organizers claim is “very family oriented,” kicks off the summer season at Detroit Lake, a popular recreation spot about 40 minutes from Salem, east along Highway 22.
“This event is the Detroit/Idanha fundraiser for our annual Independence Day celebration,” O’Donnell said. “We appreciate any sponsor of any size, from a free ice cream cone at the local market to major sponsors who help cover the cost of the grand prizes.”
Sponsors to date include: Smoker Craft, EZ Loader Trailers, Western Beverage, Pepsi, Bake Brothers Jerky, Frito Lay, Ink Spot Printing, Home Depot, Santiam Golf Club, Merrill Lynch, Kane’s Marina, Detroit Lake Marina, The Lodge at Detroit Lake, Detroit Lake Market, Corner Post Restaurant, Cedars Restaurant, Mountain High Grocery and Gifts, The Idanha Grill, Marion Forks Restaurant, Les Schwab, US Bank, Denys’ Bed and Breakfast, Umpqua Bank, Route 22 Gas and Gifts, Electric Rides, All Seasons Motel, Power Chevrolet, Breitenbush Retreat and Conference Center, Marion County Sheriffs, K.C. Espresso, Mountain View RV Park, and the city of Detroit.
To become a sponsor or for information about the Detroit Lake Fishing Derby, e-mail O’Donnell at mthigh97342@gmail.com or call 503-854-3696.
