The fish may not have been biting but that did not stop a record number of fishers to participate in the ninth annual Lake Lenore Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby held in Lenore Lake on Jan. 20.
This year saw some 675 fishers attended the derby, breaking last year’s record by 76.
Lions club member Beryl Bauer helps organize the fishing derby, and says the increase year-over-year is the effects of a number of different factors, including more people hearing about it and the club doing more advertising.
“Even Rick Mercer had it on CBC the other night. He mentioned the Lake Lenore derby so I think all of that publicity helped us quite a bit.”
Of course the weather also helped with numbers, as it was a beautiful sunny day, with temperatures in the high minuses.
“It’s almost like somebody upstairs said we’ll send these guys some good weather because the cause is good. So that really makes us feel good and, of course, we think the warmer the weather the more fishermen that are going to show up as well,” noted Bauer.
In total more than $27,000 in cash and prizes were awarded throughout the day.
This is also an increase over previous years, with the prize pool continuously growing larger, which is great to see, says Bauer.
“It shows that they believe in our organization, what the Lions do. And the companies that are supporting us are certainly increasing what they’re giving to us. So I’d say that that’s saying that they support the cause and the community and the surrounding area,” noted Bauer of the continued increase in donated support.
Despite setting a new record for number of fishers, the number of fish caught and brought in to be weighed was down significantly over last year.
Last year’s total reached 104 fish, while this year the derby registered just 55 fish, including 32 pike, 19 walleye, and four perch.
“It varies, depends on the weather. There are more fishermen out here, you would think more fish would be caught but maybe they’re just not biting at this time,” noted Bauer of the decrease in fish.
The derby is a major fundraiser for the Lions Club, and while Bauer notes the club does not have the money earmarked for anything specific they will be putting the money to good use some nationally, and internationally, but mostly locally, he says.
“We try to keep a lot of the money in the community. We just recently gave a huge donation to the hall and the church as well.”
Overall, Bauer was pleased with how the day went, noting he is really thankful for everyone who came to support the derby.
“Our motto is ‘We serve.’ We are gratified that so many people are coming to this derby and seem to be enjoying themselves. We love putting this on. It’s by far our biggest fundraiser ever.”
Bauer would also like to thank the Lions Club members, and member of the community who did a great job helping out over the course of the day.
“The Lions Club has 23 current members and couldn’t put on this large an event without the help of a large number of men and women in the community who are not Lions but they see the value in the club’s efforts in the community.”
With next year marking the 10th anniversary, Bauer noted the club will have some special plans in place to celebrate.
