PORT Dover’s signature fishing competition, Perch Derby, opened last Saturday morning and runs until May 10. Enthusiastic anglers cast their lines along the waterfront all weekend for a chance to reel in a prize-tagged perch released for the event. With 20 grey-tagged perch worth $100 and 18 yellow-tagged perch worth $1,000, there’s $20,000 to be won in tagged perch prizes.
Some community members were concerned that Norfolk County’s planned reconstruction of Harbour St. would prevent people from fishing in the area. Although the contractor working on the project has put a fence near the water, the wharf remains accessible from openings near the monument by the pier and the road’s intersection with Main St. A third opening at a midpoint between the others will be available outside of working hours on weekdays.
The county and contractor are working with Perch Derby organizers to ensure everyone can safely enjoy two weeks of fishing fun.
Board of Trade manager Jan Overend said Perch Derby started just over a quarter-century ago when her organization sought an offseason event for the community.
“This sounded like a great opportunity to bring people to town early in the season and has been underway and grown ever since,” Ms. Overend said.
She mentioned that the event celebrates Lake Erie yellow perch, which “everyone knows [is] important and iconic to Port Dover.”
“Perch dinners have been attracting crowds for years particularly to the beach area restaurants and, as we also know, Port Dover is home to a sizable commercial fishing fleet. One of their main catches is yellow perch. We catch it and we serve it!”
To compete in the derby and be eligible for prizes, participants must purchase a ticket to register in one of three age categories: junior (10 and younger), intermediate (11 to 17), or adult (18 and older).
During the event, adult anglers can take any non-tagged perch they catch to Perch Derby Headquarters at Bridge Yachts, located on the corner of Harbour and St. Andrew streets, to redeem them for entry in that day’s daily prize draw. Intermediate and junior competitors can bring any live fish caught for an entry into their cohort’s daily prize draw. Daily prizes differ for each age category.
Total of $20,000 in tagged perch prizes
Derby participants will have the chance to catch one of 38 prize-tagged perch released in the area. Twenty perch will have grey tags worth $100 and 18 will have yellow tags worth $1,000 for a total of $20,000 in tagged perch prizes. Tagged perch can be redeemed at Perch Derby Headquarters for $100 or $1,000.
“The fishing derby is a great family event because everyone can participate,” Ms. Overend said.
“It runs for two weeks, accommodating the schedules for both local and out-of-the-area fishing enthusiasts. We have folks returning year after year, many from out-of-town locations. If you like fishing, bringing in a tagged perch is quite exciting.”
Adults registered in the derby are also automatically entered into a draw for the event’s grand prize. This year’s grand prize is an Innovocean 12-foot heavy-duty inflatable boat, Suzuki Marine 9.9 HP 4-stroke EFI outboard motor, and EZ Loader galvanized trailer with torsion axle and tongue jack valued at $10,655.
To purchase a registration ticket, visit Bridge Yachts, Stoney’s Home Hardware, the Fisherman’s Catch, Dover Dairy Bar, or Dover Paint and Paper. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for intermediate youth, and $5 for junior youth.
For more information about Port Dover Perch Derby or the Cast Off Party, contact the Board of Trade at info@portdover.ca or (519) 583-1314 or visit the organization’s Facebook page at facebook.com/PortDoverBoardofTrade.
