Cultus Lake Derby Lands 461 Pikeminnows
Posted on June 19th, 2007 by Rodney Hsu, webmaster

Minister of Environment Barry Penner and his Nephew Will with a good sized northern pikeminnow at the annual Cultus Lake pikeminnow derby (Photo: Rodney Hsu).

Heavy rain did not dampen 235 registered participants’ spirit at this year’s Cultus Lake pikeminnow derby in Chilliwack on June 16th. Organized by the Fraser Valley Salmon Society, this derby is part of the All About Family Fishing Event, which is hosted in conjunction with the BC Family Fishing Weekend.

As part of the provincial family fishing weekend, this annual derby is intended to introduce recreational fishing to children who has never tried it. New fishing rods were supplied for those who did not have one, and the Great River Fishing Adventures provided several jetboats that took groups of future anglers out on the lake.

"Our main focus has been bringing children back into the fishing world.", explained Dean Werk from Great River Fishing Adventures, who is also a FVSS director. "We need to have them involved so they are able to help in managing our fisheries in the years to come."

Working with staffs at DFO’s Cultus Lake Sockeye Salmon Recovery Program, derby organizers also hope to assist the ongoing pikeminnow capturing project. Northern pikeminnow is a natural predator of juvenile sockeye salmon. Due to their rapid number growth and the absence of predators, northern pikeminnow’s population is one of the main causes of Cultus Lake sockeye salmon population decrease. By reducing pikeminnow’s population and other enhancement work, DFO staffs hope to see a steady comeback of this endangered sockeye salmon stock.

Armed with worms and hot dogs for bait as recommended, it was not long before almost everyone was into some pikeminnow. By the 2:00pm weigh-in deadline, 461 fish had been weighed in by 71 anglers. Largest pikeminnow weighed in by an adult was Cory Britton’s 1.285kg fish, while Chehayla Heidebrecht’s 1.085kg pikeminnow became the winning fish in the junior category.

No participants went home empty-handed, as derby organizers had collected enough prizes for everyone, including two bicycles and accessories for the junior hidden weights.

Derby Results

Adult Largest Pike Minnow
Cory Britton: 1.285 kg

Adult "Best of 7"
Keith Holdsworth: 2.670 kg

Junior largest pikeminnow
Chehayla Heidebrecht: 1.085 kg

Junior second place
Spencer Korum: 0.890 kg

Junior third place
Cole Rogozinski: 0.765

Junior "Best of 7"
Keenan Rogozinski: 2.620 kg

Junior girl hidden weight
Teya Phinny: 0.505 kg

Junior boy hidden weight
Nick Bake: 0.075 kg

Related Links

• Derby photos
• Derby video
• Post-derby discussion
• Northern pikeminnow
• Fraser Valley Salmon Society
• Cultus Lake Sockeye Salmon Recovery Program

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