3,000 Fish Released Into Canal To Launch 33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby

The Peterborough Lift Lock canal got more lively as members of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) dumped 3,000 fish into the water to launch the 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Wednesday.

Top-prize fish ‘Walter’ is being released into the Lift Lock Canal by David Ryrie, OFAH director of communications (left) and Gordon Bowley, fishing derby chairman (right). Walter is a rainbow trout weighing from eight to 10 pounds. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The derby begins this Saturday with the youth event — for children 15 and under — at 9 a.m. and the all-ages kicking off Sunday at 9 a.m. This is the first Derby in two years to run due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The OFAH is thrilled to host this showcase community event, which provides a great outdoors experience for children to create memories alongside their family and friends,” says David Ryrie, OFAH Supervisor of Outreach Programs. “After two years of the pandemic impacting our ability to host this great event, we are thrilled to be able to provide this fishing derby again and can’t wait to see kids win hundreds of prizes and have a lucky angler catch Walter.” 

The 500 trout are tagged for instant prizes with a chance to win one of four grand prizes. The ’big fish’ grand prize of $1,000 goes to the angler that catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. 

The all-ages derby runs from May 1-8 and includes 18 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.

Registration is required for all participants: $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults. 

You can purchase tickets online at ofah.org/underthelock, at the event or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations. 

“It really is about a family experience whether you’ve fished for years or you want to come with your kids/grandkids and put a line out there,'“ said Ryrie. “It’s a fantastic way to start spring now that the snow, knock-on-wood, is gone.”

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