---

Grand Prize Winner

Eli K. from Walker took home top honors from the July 30 Children’s Fishing Contest. Photos submitted.

   Hot and muggy, but the fish were biting. Not just the small fish, but the big fish too. Todays big fish was 21.2 ounces and caught on Fletcher’s first cast of the day! What a beautiful large mouth bass. That was followed by a 20 ounce bass, equally impressive. Many ‘big’ fish were caught today.  And small fish, 2 1/4, hardly bigger than a minnow used in the minnow races.

Kids fishing contest ages 0-5

At the Hackensack Kid’s Fishing Contest Tuesday, July 30, 26 kids in the 0-5 year old group, caught and released 55 fish. Jordin V. caught the largest fish (12.1 oz.); Patrick M. reeled in the first fish; while Katie R. landed the most fish (11).

   Eli K. was the luckiest person of the day. He made it into the hula hoop for a chance to win a brand new rod & reel combo. During the cast off to see who would ultimately win, he was about 1 foot closer and won the combo. At the end of the contest, we draw a ticket for the Grand Champion of the day, youth only need to be present to have a chance at this. Eli was holding the matching ticket number, so he won another rod & reel combo, and a tackle box with tackle.  Congratulations Eli!

Kids fishing contest ages 6-9

At the July 30 Hackensack Kid’s Fishing Contest, 26 kids in the 6-9 year old group, caught and released 104 fish. Fletcher S. caught the largest fish (21.2 oz.); Beau D. reeled in the first fish; Rick R. landed the most fish (23); and the smallest fish was hooked by Jagr D. (3 1/16 inches) .

   In the 0-5 year old group, we didn’t have a Smallest Fish winner today. Not because one wasn’t caught. A competitor can only win one prize in their age group. We track about 5 small fish minimum in case a competitor has a small fish and some other better prize such as Most Fish. Today, all 5 tracked fish happened to be caught by the Most and Largest Fish winners.

Kids fishing contest ages 10-15

In the 10-15 year old group, Tuesday, July 30, 29 kids caught and released 164 fish. Lucy T. hooked the largest fish (20 oz.); the first fish was caught by Jacob H.; Geena L. caught the most fish (39) and the smallest fish (2 1/4 inches) was landed by Charlie E.

   Today, we took a moment to remember a long time volunteer Lori Aydt. She passed unexpectedly this week. We will miss her beautiful smile, kind nature, and her hand at the Face Painting table. Rest in Peace Lori.

   The hot dog sponsor this week was Cedar Point Realty (https://www.upnorthpropertysearch.com/). Visit them if you are looking to buy or sell your home.

Minnow Racing Winner

Luke B. of Salado, TX was last week’s minnow race winner.

   The dates for this year are every Tuesday, June 11th – August 13th, 2024 from 11am - 12:30pm. Be early to register before it starts. We look forward to seeing everyone that can make it.

Casting Contest Winner

Eli K. of Walker took home top honors in the casting contest.

Visit our Facebook page to view the weekly photos. You can search Facebook for “Hackensack Children’s Fishing Contest” and click on the Photo Album link on Facebook. Once on the photos page, you can select Album and go to the week you would like to look at.

   If you are interested in helping as a volunteer or in sponsoring our contest next year, contact Bill Kennedy at 218.838.9468 or [email protected].

---