2012 Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby
Posted on May 20th 2012, by Rodney Hsu, webmaster
Fraser Valley Salmon Society will once again be hosting its annual Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby on Saturday June 16th. This is just one of many events happening during the Fathers Day Weekend, which is also designated as the BC Family Fishing Weekend. The derby is hosted at Cultus Lake and participating anglers can weigh-in their catches of northern pikeminnow for some great prizes.
Cultus Lake is home to a number of fish species, which include sockeye salmon, trout, char, northern pikeminnow and other coarse fish species. Over the last several decades due to overfishing and other human factors, its sockeye salmon stock has declined significantly to endangered level. At this level, the population is having a difficult time recruiting due to the high abundance of northern pikeminnow, which predate on juvenile salmon as they stage in the lake before migrating into the ocean. To balance out this equation so Cultus Lake sockeye salmon have a chance to regain their numbers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has decided to reduce the number of northern pikeminnow by using several different methods. One of these methods is asking anglers to catch and retain northern pikeminnow at the Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby.
From sunrise until 1:00pm on June 16th, derby participants will be catching and bringing their northern pikeminnow to the weigh-in station at Main Beach. Prizes will be awarded to 16 different categories, which include the heaviest northern pikeminnow and the most number of fish in different age groups. Prize money will also be awarded to tagged fish. In addition, the society will be paying $2 for each pikeminnow caught (up to 100 fish per person).
Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for junior anglers. They can be purchased at the following locations:
- Chilliwack Dart and Tackle
- Fred's Custom Tackle
- Trask Supply
- Rosedale Mini Mart
- Kent Outdoors
- Cultus Lake Golf Course Bistro or Pro Shop
Tickets will also be available on event day, but if you purchase your ticket before June 16th, you will have a chance to win one of over 200 draw prizes!
For more information about the derby, please visit Fraser Valley Salmon Society's website, phone Evelyn Kwak at 604-799-3466. You can also follow the latest updates on the derby at their Facebook page.
