Get ready to get hooked on fishing this Father’s Day weekend, thanks to events such as the Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association’s annual Fun Fishing Derby at Kelly Lake, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15.
It’s just one of many “fishy” events taking place around B.C. on the weekend of June 13–15 as part of the 26th annual Family Fishing Weekend. It’s sponsored by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., with help from the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and is an opportunity for anyone — from novice fisherpeople to experienced anglers, and from kids to seniors — to take to the water and try their hand at fishing.
While those aged 16 and older usually need to purchase a fishing licence in order to fish in non-tidal waters in B.C., the province waives that requirement over the third weekend in June, meaning those wanting to take part in the Family Fishing Weekend can do so whether they have a licence or not, whatever their age.
The Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association has been holding a June fishing derby since before the Family Fishing Weekend was established. All are welcome at the event, which usually attracts between 30 and 50 people to Kelly Lake. The entry fee is $5 per person (register on the day), and all kids get a hot dog and pop as part of the event. There will also be first, second, and third prizes for both kids and adults, as well as a concession on site serving smokies and burgers, as well as chips and pop.
Many lakes in the province are stocked with fish each year, but Kelly Lake naturally stocks itself. Anglers can expect to catch Rainbow and Eastern Brook trout, with the average catch weighing between one and three pounds. For those who don’t have a boat, there are often extra boats (or people who can offer a spot in theirs), as well as quite a few places around the lake where people can fish from shore.
While the CADOSA derby is taking place at Kelly Lake, Big Bar and Beaverdam Lakes — both of which are close to Clinton — are also good fishing lakes, and fishing is free at both of them during the weekend of June 13, although no organized events are planned at either.
There is also a Family Fishing Weekend event taking place at Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park (West Pond) near Merritt, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 15. Hosted by the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club, the event features snacks and drinks for all taking part, and volunteers from the club will be on hand to provide instruction for new anglers; they’ll also have equipment that new anglers can borrow.
Fishing has seen an increase in popularity over the last few years, spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic, when people discovered freshwater fishing as they looked for outdoor activities that could be done close to home.
“Fishing licence sales are the strongest we've seen since 2020/2021,” says Jenna Merth, Outreach Coordinator for the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. “Purchases are up for all age groups, with annual licences up 25 per cent for the 16–25 year old age range. Family Fishing Weekend is set up so people can learn more about the sport and connect with the angling community.”
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC was created in 2003 as a private, not-for-profit organization, funded mainly through freshwater fishing licence revenues. In partnership with the province, the Society annually stocks six million trout, char, and kokanee in 800 B.C. lakes. It also manages special hatchery programs for endangered species including white sturgeon, conducts fisheries research, education, and conservation programs, and works to make angling more accessible for all. To find out more, visit gofishbc.com.
For more information about all the events taking place on this year’s Family Fishing Weekend, including at Kelly Lake, go to https://bit.ly/43xHRRe.
