Mark your calendars for annual Family Fishing Day
Anglers of all ages will cast their lines for a good time next month at the annual Family Fun Fishing Derby at Norris Lake.
Hosted by the Teulon Game and Fish Association, the derby will take place Saturday, June 7, on the main beach at Norris Lake. The family-friendly event encourages safe and responsible fishing practices while bringing the community together to enjoy Manitoba’s great outdoors.
Registration opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 11 a.m., with fishing set to begin immediately and continue until 3 p.m. Entry fees are $10 for members, $20 for non-members and $5 for youth.
The club has spent the past few years making substantial improvements to the lake and beach area, including installing new equipment and beautifying the site for public enjoyment.
“I’d like to see some new kids come out. That would be the most exciting thing for me this year,” said Debbie Coverdale, a longtime Teulon Game and Fish member and part of the small but dedicated committee behind the initiative.
Last year’s derby saw 50 kids register, and each received a lifejacket. This year, the first 50 kids to register will receive a free plastic tackle box stocked with fishing lures—thanks to community donations and non-profit club funds.
In total, Game and Fish has contributed more than $20,000 to upgrades at Norris Lake. Improvements include a new boat launch, floating dock, sand delivery, 10 new picnic tables, fire pits with cement bases, a new aeration system pump and repairs to a collapsing bathroom wall. While some materials were supplied by the government, most of the labour was done by Coverdale, her husband and other volunteers.
“We’re really trying to give back and trying to promote this lovely little gem of a lake that we have,” said Coverdale. “We’re so lucky that we have what we have here in Manitoba.”
The derby has grown significantly since its early days at Lake St. George, when just a few children attended. Now hosted at Norris Lake’s main beach, the event is expected to draw even more families from across the region.
This year’s event also features a special guest: Interlake-Gimli MLA Trevor King is scheduled to attend around 3 p.m. to speak about the importance of the lake to the local community.
“I’ve known Trevor for a long time,” said Coverdale. “So, I know he’ll do a good job.”
Food will be available throughout the day. Kids will receive a hot dog and juice box with their registration, and additional hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be available for purchase. Event-goers can also buy raffle tickets or sign up for a club membership.
Registration runs from 10 to 11 a.m., with the derby continuing until 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for club members, $20 for non-members and $5 for youth.
Club volunteers have been cleaning the beach and preparing the site ahead of the event.
“The guys have been working diligently to get everything there,” said Coverdale. “I’m interested to see what the reaction of the people there for the cleanup will be.”
