CENTRAL MANITOULIN—The Central Manitoulin youth March Break fishing tournament has drawn a lot of interest among those participating and those donating the many prizes. As of Sunday, organizers report that 31 youths have registered for the tournament and more are expected to sign up during the week.
“So, you know with things starting to open up, I put out a message to the business community asking if they would like to sponsor some type of an event for youth,” said Marcus Mohr, community development/outreach coordinator for the municipality of Central Manitoulin. “One of the people we contacted was Mountainview Resort, and after we asked if they would like to donate, shortly after I talked to them, they suggested we should put on a fish derby for kids and they would provide a donation to that.”
“After the idea of a fishing derby came up, I emailed the business community back and said that we were looking at a youth derby and the emails just started rolling in,” stated Mr. Mohr. He pointed out a total of $2,555 in cash and prizes has been provided by the business community, with Jake’s Home Centre, Manitoulin Chrysler, Melvin E. Van Horn Insurance, Up Top Sports Shop, Mountain View Resort, Buie’s Grocery, Wilson’s Corner Store, Kat’s Pet Supply, Keller’s Garage/Driving Forward and Manitoulin Tree Service providing providing cash or prizes.
Entry is free and there are two age categories for the tournament: 13-18 years of age and 12 years and under.
“Central Manitoulin youth, and those attending Central Manitoulin Public School from outside of Central Manitoulin, are invited to participate in the March Break fishing contest,” a release notes. “You must be a Central Manitoulin youth resident 18 and under attending CMPS, Manitoulin Secondary School or being homeschooled in the municipality. CMPS students who attend from another community are eligible. For example, Rockville, Tehkummah, Billings and M’Chigeeng students attending CMPS are eligible.”
The cash and prizes to be won are for the longest fish in three categories (from first to third) of perch, walleye (or pickerel) and lake trout. Fish can be caught in an inland lake that is within or touches Central Manitoulin’s borders. Clear photos above the fish with measuring tape included are to be taken, verified by a parent or guardian per the measuring and submission guidelines and emailed to the organizer.
Along with the largest fish prizes in place for each species of fish, there is a mystery length prize or cash prize for each species.
The fishing tournament started this past Saturday, March 12 and continues to Sunday, March 20.
Participants must register, for free, prior to entering the contest and a parent or guardian must acknowledge the entry disclaimer at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/central-manitoulin-march-break-youth-fishing-tournament-2022-tickets-291508859847.
