By Mary Owen
“Fish on!” is the cry to be heard at Detroit Lake’s 31st annual Fishing Derby, held May 17-19 at the popular North Santiam Canyon lake.
“We expect a record turn out this year,” said Dean O’Donnell, president of the Detroit Lake Recreation Area Business Association, event host. “We’ve ordered nice weather, but we can’t guarantee it.”
The event will take place 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Sign-ups are at the Detroit City Hall. DLRABA’s Fishing Derby draws thousands of participants each year.
“We have around 800 to 1,000 Fishing Derby entries, but when you count spouses, children and their friends, we average about 3,000 people,” said Bob Franz, DLRABA spokesman. “The Fishing Derby is and always will be a family-friendly event.”
Registration will buy three full days of fishing as well as a chance to win prizes. Boys and girls can fish to win a bicycle, while adults vie for a 14-foot Smoker Craft fishing boat donated by Riverview Community Bank, a boat trailer donated by EZ Loader Boat Trailer Co., and a tongue jack donated by Steven’s Marine. Some lucky winners will walk away with a fish net filled with prizes, donated by local businesses.
“The highlight every year is seeing the kids win all sorts of prizes as well as a ton of gifts that are just thrown out to the crowd,” Franz said. “I think making the kids so happy is the biggest highlight for me.”
May 17-19
6 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
6 a.m. – 2 p.m Sunday
Awards ceremony Sunday, 3 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults, $7 children 13 and younger
Sponsored by Detroit Lake Recreation
and Business Association: 503-854-3696
[email protected] or
visit www.detroitlakeoregon.org
Grand prizes are awarded from a drawing of tickets given to people when they sign up, Franz said.
“There (are) some very nice prizes,” he said. “You can buy tickets any time on Friday or Saturday until the registration booth is closed. You can even enter as often as you want, but you have to be present to win.”
If entrants put in $5 for tickets they receive a jar of Pautzke bait, O’Donnell added.
“The bait is worth the $5, so it’s like getting it free,” he said.
The first 400 entrants will also get a free “Fishing Derby” hat, Franz said. DLRABA charges adults $15 and children 13 and younger $7 to participate in the fishing derby. Cash prizes are given for all caught tagged fish brought to the registration table. The awards ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Detroit City Center.
Pautzke Fire Bait, EZ Loader, Steven’s Marine and Riverview Community Bank are the event sponsors, O’Donnell said, adding business sponsorships are still welcomed.
The Fishing Derby kicks off the summer season at Detroit Lake, a popular recreation spot along Highway 22.
The event is the Detroit/Idanha fundraiser for the city’s annual Fireworks Over the Lake celebration to be held this year on Saturday, July 6.
