Ben Baldwin Fishing Derby – Fun for the Whole Family – July 6th
Join friends and family in the watershed on Saturday, July 6th, from 9 AM to 1 PM for the Wentworth Watershed Association’s annual fishing derby. We encourage young community members, families, and their guests to enjoy a day of fun on the lakes with a catch-and-release fishing derby.
The derby will feature both live and photo submissions. Fish will be judged by their length rather than weight. If you are fishing by boat, bring the longest fish of each species you’ve caught to the Baldwin dock on Cate Island (opposite the sand bar of Stamp Act) to be measured. Look for the red, white, and blue fish windsock on their dock! If fishing from land, you may submit a picture of your longest fish, held up against a ruler so its length is clearly visible. Please only submit pictures of fish caught between 9 AM and 1 PM on Saturday, July 6th, on the WWA’s Facebook page or via email to executivedirector@wentworthwatershed.org. Submissions will be accepted until midnight on the 6th.
Medals will be awarded to participants 18 and under for the longest fish caught of each species. Derby results will be posted on the Wentworth Watershed Association Facebook page and website. Ribbons will be given out at the dock for participation. There will be fish identification keys, snacks, and a water bottle filling station at Cate Island. The derby will be held rain or shine. No registration is required for this family-friendly event.
The Association encourages all participants to be prepared, stay safe, and demonstrate environmental ethics. This event focuses on educating young fishermen and women and instilling best fishing practices. Best fishing practices mean being prepared—bring a water bottle, gloves, pliers, ensure your hook is tied on properly, avoid using lead tackle, and return your fish to where you caught it. A conscientious fisher cares about protecting the fish and their ecosystem.
In honor of Ben Baldwin’s dream to become a Fish & Game Officer, a special award, The Conscientious Fisher Award, will be given in his memory to the person 18 and under who demonstrates the best fishing ethics. To be eligible for the award, submit a video of your fishing and handling techniques. How do you prepare to fish? What do you take with you? What kind of tackle do you use? When you catch a fish, how do you handle and release it? You can demonstrate your knowledge of fishing ethics at the dock on Cate Island or by video submission. Have someone take a video (2 minutes max) of you explaining the safety precautions you take when fishing and how you treat the fish you catch.
Submit your video by uploading it to YouTube and sending us a link to your video on our Facebook page or emailing the link to executivedirector@wentworthwatershed.org. All submissions must be received by the end of the day on Sunday, July 7th, to be considered.
Ben loved fishing and the outdoors. He cared deeply for the lake he lived on and all the wildlife that depend on it. In honor of Ben, please take care of our resources to preserve them for many years to come. The fisher with the most thoughtful video displaying their fishing ethics and personal fishing safety will receive a $50 gift card.
Be prepared:
- Take care of yourself: Wear a life preserver, drink water, and wear sunscreen. Be respectful of private property. When in doubt, ask permission. Give other anglers plenty of room.
- Take care of the fish: Wet hands or wear gloves when handling fish. Bring pliers to safely remove hooks, clip barbs off hooks, bring a water bucket, and remember to add fresh water to allow fish to breathe. Catch and release fish quickly. Bring only your largest fish to weigh-in and return it to the location where it was caught after it has been weighed. Remove any injured or dead fish from the lake and dispose of them properly. Don’t transport live fish to another lake or stream.
- Take care of the lakes and other wildlife: To protect the lake, don’t release live baitfish, use lead-free tackle, and take all trash back to shore for proper disposal, including all fishing lines.
The Wentworth Watershed Association, our volunteer derby hosts, and the Baldwin family look forward to seeing you and your family having fun in the watershed.
The Wentworth Watershed Association has a proven track record of protecting and advocating for the health of the watershed. The organization is committed to partnering with the Wolfeboro community to provide educational programs and recreational experiences via access to lakes and conservation lands. To become a member and join us in our conservation efforts, please visit wentworthwatershed.org.