Central hosts ice derby this week

MINDEMOYA—For the third time, Central Manitoulin is hosting its annual Youth March Break Fishing Contest. 

“I believe the event started in 2022, but we didn’t hold it last year due to the poor ice conditions,” said Alison Sloss, events coordinator of Central Manitoulin. 

The derby, which started Saturday, March 8 and will run to Sunday, March 16, features two age categories and over $1,200 in donated cash and prizes.

Youth aged 18 and under in Central Manitoulin are invited to participate in the March break fishing contest! Prizes can be won for longest fish in the two categories for perch and lake trout (with three prizes in each age group), said Ms. Sloss. “The contest is split between two age categories, 13-18, and ages 12 and under. Fish can be caught in an inland lake that is within or touches the municipality of Central Manitoulin’s border.”

Read our related story from the year before last, “Second annual youth March Break fishing tournament reels in the fun”

Central Manitoulin youth 18 and under attending Central Manitoulin Public School, Manitoulin Secondary School, or homeschooled are eligible to take part. CMPS students that attend from another community are eligible. For example, Rockville, Tehkummah, Billings and M’Chigeeng students attending CMPS are eligible. As well, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren or dependents or ratepayers in the municipality of Central Manitoulin are eligible. For greater clarity, if, for example, a ratepayer grandparent has a grandchild visiting from another part  of Manitoulin Island or anywhere else during March break, the child can participate.

Fish must be caught on an inland lake within or touching the municipality of Central Manitoulin’s boundary. For example, if the lake touches Central Manitoulin you can use the whole lake to catch a fish. These include for example, lakes Mindemoya, Kagawong, Manitou and Mud Lake. Lake Huron and rivers are excluded. 

Clear photos above the fish with a measuring tape included are to be taken, verified by a parent or guardian per the measuring submission guidelines and emailed to the organizer.

Read our story for the inaugural tournament a few years back, “Central Manitoulin youth March Break fishing tournament drawing lots of interest”

There is a maximum of three submissions per fish species per participant allowed for the tournament.

Sponsors of the derby Include Jakes’s Home Centre, Melvin E. Van Horn Insurance, Rylan’s Clothing, Kat’s Pet Supplies, Up to Sports Shop and Campbell Construction.

For more information and full tournament details go online to centralmanitoulin.ca/marchbreakfishing