It’s known unofficially as the Cultus Pikeminnow Derby and last year more than 1,000 people showed up to vie for the specially tagged fish.
It always coincides with B.C. Family Fishing weekend, and has the extra benefit of removing the predatorial Northern Pikeminnow species, believed to be preying on the endangered Cultus Lake sockeye.
The annual Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, June 18, at Cultus Lake and as usual, a fishing licence is not required.
Several cash prizes are on offer, and they’ll be drawn and awarded after the fish are weighed in.
Organizers with the Fraser Valley Salmon Society said there were about 1,300 participants last year who caught a total of 897 pikeminnows. That’s up by almost 1,000, compared to almost 300 anglers who showed up the first year and caught about 300 fish.
Last year they paid out almost $3000 in cash prizes in 17 fish categories.
Derby starts at daybreak and wraps up at 2 p.m. Weigh-in is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The 100 specially tagged fish are worth $100 each, and all other tagged fish are $25 each. A toonie is on offer for each pikeminnow caught.
Tickets for the Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby on June 18, are $5/$2 at Chilliwack Dart and Tackle, Fred’s Custom Tackle, Rosedale Mini Mart and Kent Outdoors. For more information call 604-799-3466.